The move comes after an observation by the Calcutta High Court in a particular case regarding the feeding of street dogs.
The SOP notified by the Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, on November 25, was placed with Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the High Court on Wednesday following which he instructed the state government to circulate the SOP to all municipal bodies in the state.
“In the last few years there have been many cases where there are disputes between dog lovers who feed stray dogs on the streets and citizens who oppose it when it is done near their gates. There are ongoing criminal cases. Therefore the state government formed an SOP and placed it before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh at Calcutta High Court. Justice was hearing such a case (WPA 24705 of 2024 in the case of Arnab Chakraborty -Vs – the State of West Bengal & Ors). Justice ordered that the SOP should be circulated to all municipal bodies,” said Suman Sengupta, a senior counsel of the state government.
“The SOP clearly indicates designated areas where one could feed stray dogs and earmarks time. It also specifies what food can be given to stray dogs and ensures that the responsibility of cleaning the place after feeding rests with the caregivers,” Sengupta added.
The SOP states that the civic bodies in the state would earmark areas/spots in every municipal ward for animal lovers to feed the stray animals at a particular time of the day. “These designated areas shouldn’t be near any area where children play, or where people take walks, or crowded areas in front of any individual’s house, shop or building. Also, they shouldn’t compromise the width of the road or footpath,” it mentions.
Additionally, it includes penalty provisions for both animal lovers violating the SOP and those resisting the animal lovers. Feeding stray dogs beyond the ‘designated area’ is a punishable offence under existing municipal laws, the SOP mentions.
It also states that ‘No one can prohibit or harass or resist any caregiver who is feeding a community dog or dogs following the manner and conditions as specified in the SOP.’
Specific time periods have also been mentioned to feed strays. “Feeding of dogs may be done only at the designated areas within a specific time period in two slots – before 7am and once in the evening after 7pm for a minimum of two hours each,” the SOP clearly notifies, adding, that, “Those feeding the animals should use biodegradable plates and newspapers.”
‘Moreover, feeding must not be done in a manner that contributes to littering, or dirtying any feeding site. The caregivers-or feeders of the community dogs (stray or street dogs) are also advised to clean up feeding sites after feeding is over for maintaining hygiene..’ the notification stated.
The SOP lists food items, which may be given to dogs and some items which should be avoided. “The easiest and most substantial meal a caregiver or community dog feeder can give stray dogs is a mixture of soft-cooked rice, chapati, small chunks of boiled potatoes and a small amount of vegetable oil or ghee in water, meat leftovers, canned food, packed meals with boiled rice can also be given as dog food. Sufficient water arrangement should also be made for the stray dogs,” it notifies.
It forbids food items like chocolate, dairy items like milk and cheese, sweetened snacks, onion and garlic to be fed to street or community dogs.