'A Policy Framework & Plan of Action for Pet Dogs & Stray Dogs in Mumbai'
Draft 2 - Dec 7, 2005
(Recommendations by Civil Society Organisations / NGO Council)
 Latest version will always be posted on the Stray Dogs section in  www.karmayog.org

Since MCGM, SPCA, AWBI, High Court Committee, or any AWO do not seem to have (or willing to reveal) a policy or POA document, we all need to formulate one.
All points below are to be discussed with NGOs and concerned citizens before finalisation.
If you have the ability to write in a readable style, please re-draft the points below and email it back.
 
This is also part of the Agenda for the Dec 6 meeting with MCGM - so that the meeting can be structured, productive and decisions can be taken.
Even if you can't or won't attend, do email your comments. Do volunteer to get involved in the areas of your interest. An overall co-ordinator of this group is also needed. 
 
1. Preamble:
 
With a stray dog population of over 2 lakhs in Mumbai,
- menace of dog bites and aggressiveness
- nuisance of incessant dog barking at night
- citizens mistreating dogs
- increasing population of dogs
- inability of MCGM & existing AWOs to cope with the situation (AWOs = Animal Welfare Orgs)
- ?
 
Effective measures need to be taken for the following:
- effective sterilisation of stray dogs to reduce the dog population
- clean environment to discourage presence of dogs i.e. no garbage in public places
- effective redressal system to attend to and resolve complaints received regarding wounded dogs, dogs being tormented, etc.
- effective system to respond to complaints received regarding nuisance being caused by dogs
- educating students, MCGM staff, and citizens about dog behaviour, handling, etc.
- ?
 
 
2.MCGM’s Mission Statement:
 
(to include)
- zero-rabies Mumbai
- all stray dogs to be sterilised by 2009
- 40,000 stray dogs to be sterilised yearly
- humane methods
- citizen awareness & education
- trained and sensitised BMC staff
- ?
 
 
3. Relevant Acts / Rules / Recommendations:

- Dog Control Rules 2001 (Central Govt)
- High Court of Mumbai Order, 1998 --- this is the base document for this note
- AWBI Guidelines
- ?
 
 
4. Overview of the Policy Framework for Stray Dogs:
 
(after all the points below have been finalised)
- summary
- flow chart
- responsible orgs
 
 
5. Assumptions regarding Stray Dog Issues:
 
- killing is not the solution for reducing stray dog population or rabies. In any case, neither the preferred solution nor the one recommended by the NGO Council.
- sterilisation is the solution - both for reducing stray dog population, and stray dog nuisance (aggressiveness)
- clean public spaces are very necessary to reduce dog presence in any area
- funds are available via MCGM budget, corporators' budgets, companies, etc.
- fundamental responsibility is of MCGM and not of AWOs
- guidelines under the High Court Order, 1998, are ok --- the implementation recommendations are not.
- complaints of nuisance caused by stray dogs to be looked into and underlying reasons corrected
- AWOs are not interested in tackling problems affecting humans (except for rabies)
- it is MCGM's reponsibility to make it easy for citizens to know whom to contact, procedures, policies, etc.
- ?
 
 
6. Sterilisation program:
 
A. is there a time-table to cover city zone-wise / performance / plan / budget?
    - if yes, this should be discussed publicly
    - if no, it needs to be made
 
B. budgeting and payments for sterilisation:
    - Rs. 500 to the sterilising agency
    - 40,000 sterilisations to be targeted per year
    - accordingly, Rs. 2 crores to be the budgetary provision recommendation by MCGM for 2006-07 to the Standing Committee for approval
    - and, additionally, whatever amount is needed for capital expenditure + operating expenses for the supporting infrastructure e.g. dog-vans, kennel space, people
    - past dues to AWOs to be released immediately (AWOs to give list and details of follow-ups made by them and replies got)
 
C. physical infrastructure needed:
    - since dogs have to be kept for 7 days after sterilisation to recover, physical kennel space is needed to match the number of dogs planned to be sterilised
    - some AWOs have been asking for permissions to set up more kennels, etc., at the MCGM places from where they are operating -- these to be approved, if o.k.
    - some citizens are willing to set up dog shelters at their place at their cost -- these to be approved, if o.k.
    - MCGM should set up more dog pounds - at least, one more next year or increase the size of the existing ones. The existing dog pounds in Mahalakshmi, Malad, Deonar & at Parel at BSPCA are insufficient.
    - ?
 
D. other support needed from MCGM:
    - the 8 dog-vans to be put under the supervision of AWOs - one each.
    - dog vans to be repaired
    - ?
 
E. demonstration ward to be taken up:
    - the sterilisation program has been successful in South Mumbai in A, B, C & D Wards. Another area should be taken up immediately.
    - one ward or sub-ward be taken up from Jan 7th
    - ward / sub-ward to be selected based on finding a willing AWO
    - complete support from MCGM - dog-van, employees, reimbursement of expenses - to be made available
    - education of children and adult citizens be done simultaneously in that area
    - the entire process, responses, effectiveness, and learnings be documented
    - team to include non-AWO citizens also.
    - helpline to be set up including modifications to the Praja / MCGM online complaint management system also.
    - MCGM will take special efforts for removing all garbage from public spaces in that area
    - a team of MCGM, AWO, NGO Council reps (including citizens) will monitor the project
 
 
7. Citizens in Distress:
 
- Praja / MCGM online management complaint system has a code MSC02 for Nuisance by stray dogs, monkeys.
- this can be filled online by citizens or is filled up by MCGM staff when a citizen calls up 1916 (?)
- 219 complaints were received in November 2005
- a copy of the complaint should be emailed immediately to a new group also
- this new group to consist of MCGM, AWO, NGO Council reps (including citizens)
- group to analyse cause of each complaint
- group to develop a range of different specific and generic solutions
- group to monitor redressal on different parameters - correctness of action taken, speed, effectiveness
 
 
8. Stray Dogs in Distress:
 
- details needed of existing cells of 4 helplines for complaints / register of complaints / dogs captured / action taken
  Additionally
- Praja / MCGM online management complaint system does not have any field in the form for this
- such a field to be created and publicised
- all calls to be emailed immediately to a new group or to existing cell, if functional
- this new group to consist of AWOs
- the group to resolve the complaint
 
 
9. Education & Awareness & Sensitisation & Rabies Prevention Drives:
 
- different programs be created and implemented for school children, public in general, public in specific areas (ragpickers, zoo, slums), MCGM dog-related staff, etc.
- a new group to be formed for this
- programs to be implemented by AWOs
- base funding to be arranged by MCGM
- for further funding, corporates, etc., can be approached
- media, etc. to be involved
- info resource centre to be developed
- action to BMC schools to be facilitated
- rabies prevention clinic & tie-up with vaccination drive 
- adoption of stray dogs to be encouraged
- to develop humane education materials, understanding of stray dog behavior, humane animal capture and handling techniques, spay/neuter procedures, health and evaluation, shelter design and management, and how to promote community support for the humane treatment of animals. 
- to acquaint animal workers with the full spectrum of animal care, handling, control, and protection work.
- to provide special training for animal control officers, shelter workers, veterinary inspectors, veterinary students, veterinarians, and animal shelter employees. 
- ?
 
 
10. Littering by Pet Dogs:
 
- a fine of Rs. 10 per instance of unscooped droppings - to be added in the new littering guidelines being planned by MCGM
- ALMs can be given the power?
- What are the Municipal / State Laws pertaining to pet dogs?
 
 
11. MCGM & Civil Sector Co-ordination: 

- a MCGM - NGO Council Stray Dog Co-ordination Committee be set up immediately:  
- to co-ordinate the ongoing development and implementation of this policy and plan document
- to co-ordinate among the various groups / committees listed in this document and other existing ones
- to co-ordinate among the various AWOs in Mumbai -- not only the 5-6 involved with sterilisation
- to monitor the performance and effectiveness of MCGM measures and dog-related staff
- to ensure that decisions are incorporated by / into the relevant legal / statutory committees and notifications
- ?
- the members to be:   
- MCGM ...........
- AWOs of High Court Monitoring Committee
- other NGOs & Citizens nominated by the NGO Council / NGO Stray Dog Committee
- veterinarians selected by AWOs
- ?

12. Funding for the various groups / committees:
- MCGM to pay for / reimburse approved expenses of the committee

This Policy Framework based on email inputs to www.karmayog.org

including comments from the following 17 - though this in no way implies their approval or acceptance:  

Abodh Aras                   AWO - Welfare for Stray Dogs, Mumbai
Rajshree Khalap            Welfare for Stray Dogs, Mumbai
Chinny Krishna              Blue Cross of India, Chennai
Amala Akineni,             Blue Cross of India, Hyderabad
Jyoti Mhapsekar            NGO - Stree Mukti Sangathana, Mumbai
Manoj Oswal                 AWO supporter, Pune
Meghna Uniyal              eCollage, Pune
Lyla Bavadam               Volunteer, Welfare for Stray Dogs, Mumbai
Ashif Dadwani               AWO - Karuna, Mumbai
Dr. Nandita Shah           NGO -Sharan, Auroville - Mumbai 
Almitra Patel                 Volunteer, Stray Dog Free Bangalore
S. Ganesan                   ALM, Pestom Sagar, Chembur, Mumbai 
Aniruddha Sen Gupta     Citizen, Mumbai
Praful Vora                    Citizen, Mumbai
Madhavi & Michael         Citizens, Mumbai 
Tanya Mahajan             Volunteer, Karmayog, Mumbai
Vinay Somani               Karmayog / NGO Council