In this week’s Pet Talk, Maneka says about laws against relocation of dogs and how to introduce pet dogs to stray dogs in the locality

By Maneka Gandhi

Is it safe to go on long road trips with my pet?

Yes. Going on road trips with your pet can be a nice way to bond with them, provided you prepare the necessary items to ascertain a comfortable journey for your pet. Carry with you documentation, like health and vaccination certificates, and proof of ownership as well. Take with you adequate amount of pet food, treats, flea control products, favourite toys and medications. Also, get your pet checked out by the Vet before going on any long journey. If your pet does not have experience of travelling in moving vehicles then it would also be helpful to take short journeys with your pet, to get him/ her accustomed to travelling in a vehicle.

I want to get the community dogs in my colony neutered. Is it costly to do so?

If you get it done by approaching the Municipal Corporation, or an NGO, then it can be done completely free and cheap. However, if you want to get it done privately the cost of the operation starts around Rs.1,800 for a single dog, depending on your vet. Under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, street dogs are to be sterilized, vaccinated and subsequently released into the same area from where they were captured. It is a crime to relocate dogs to new territories. You can read up more information on this law on the link: http://www.awbi.org/awbi-pdf/SOP.pdf

What are the laws against relocation of dogs in India? How can it be reported?

It is a crime to relocate dogs under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Dogs are naturally territorial, and to remove them from their original territory is infliction of cruelty on these animals. If a dog is relocated into a new territory then the dogs in the new territory will attack the new dogs, and this almost always will result with the relocated dogs getting gravely injured or even death. The new relocated dogs may even bite people.

According to the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001 made under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, sub-rule 6 of Rule 7, it is illegal to relocate dogs who have been sprayed and neutered. Community dogs can only be taken away for the purposes of getting them sprayed or neutered or treating them for any disease. However, after surgery or treatment they must be left back in their original territory. If you find any violations of these laws then you must report it to the Police. You can also contact your nearest animal welfare organisation, or NGO, to get further guidance and help about the procedure.

Should I introduce my pet dog to the stray dogs in our locality, so that they don’t attack him?

Street dogs tend to be aggressive towards pet dogs because they consider them to be intruders in their territories. This can pose a serious threat towards the pet dog, if under attack by a pack. However, it is indeed possible to introduce your pet dog to the strays on your street and ensure harmony between them.

Befriend the street dogs and assure them through your body language that you and your dog are not trying to intrude into their territory. Carry biscuits, if possible when you take your pet for a walk, to feed them. Once the dogs are assured that your dog means no harm, they will probably tolerate him/her in their street. If you are lucky, they might even play with him/her. However, ensure that your pet is properly vaccinated before letting him/her play with the streeties. Your love should extend beyond possession. Therefore, if you can, make sure the streeties are also vaccinated and fed regularly.