Kandivali society fines resident 3.6 lakh for feeding strays
Nisarg Heaven Society in Kandivali West levied a fine of Rs 2,500 per day on the resident for feeding stray dogs inside the society premises (Representational Image, Courtesy: Makaan.com)
Feeding stray dogs in society premises has turned out to be an expensive proposition for an animal lover, who has been fined Rs 3.6 lakh by a housing society in Kandivali for the violation.
The fine was levied by Nisarg Heaven Society in Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West, who found the advertising executive guilty of feeding stray dogs inside the society premises.
Mitesh Bora, chairman of Nisarg Heaven Society (NHS), justifying the move on the grounds that it was in the interest of the rules framed by majority members.
“Around 98 percent of the society members had passed the resolution to levy fine for feeding dogs in the society premises. Being the society’s chairman, it is my duty to make members to follow the rules framed by the majority of members,” he told ANI.
“We have no problem if any society member feeds dogs outside the premises. We are also animal lovers. There is nothing against animal rights. It is a question of human rights too,” he added.
“These dogs are aggressive and they bark at senior citizens, kids, and many others. There is a problem with hygiene too. The rule was made after receiving many complaints from the society members,” Bora said.
Responding to the allegations, Neha Datwani said her total outstanding maintenance bill of Rs 3.60 lakh till March includes Rs 75,000 monthly fine for feeding dogs – implying Rs 2,500 per day for feeding dogs.
“In July 2018, the society slapped a fine of Rs 2,500. It went up to Rs 75,000 per month in June. Another member of the society Ketan Shah was also fined for Rs 7,500 in July and thereafter Rs 75,000 per month,” she said.
“The society had stopped charging penalties in November 2018, after I approached the animal rights activists and informed them about these rules, but in vain,” she added.
Datwani, who has been a resident of the society for nearly two decades, argued that the dogs were not strays and born in the society premises.
“I have been taking care of them since their birth. But suddenly the society formed a committee which made a rule of imposing fine on members for feeding dogs. I am feeding dogs on the humanitarian ground,” said Datwani.
“I am likely to move outside the city soon. I want to clear all dues of the society as my mother and sister will continue to stay here, but I won’t pay the fine,” she said.
