The recent verdict by the government on stray dogs brought together stray and bred dogs to a court to discuss the same. Their agenda clearly was the recent court verdict on stray dogs in India. The court scene was not in a regular room. It was behind a small shack on a busy road. It was more of a regular meeting place where the dogs met and shared their opinion on various issues. Today, it was the verdict.
The dogs came from different neighbourhoods (though close by) and shared their concerns. Their discussions centred on key factors that they felt were not considered by the decision-makers before they rendered their verdict. These included:
Why are streets littered? Is the garbage collection system defective? Is there no planned dumping/garbage collection system in place? Do people in the neighbourhood not care for hygiene and cleanliness (especially “outside their residences”?
These were the questions shared by Bruno, puppy, Boxie and Ramu. To this, the veteran Tiger answered, “If they leave litter lying around, we end up cleaning them by eating the leftover food that is thrown. Our other animal friends, like cow, mice and rats, also end up eating things from the litter. So, what is seen by human beings is that we have too many stray dogs and animals near our residences.
Feeding of stray dogs? The court says humans must feed dogs but not love too much and not too little and only in specific locations?
“Is it legal,” one of the dogs called Pampa asked.
Suno, a young pup, asked, “Does this mean we get food every day?”
The wise and experienced Moti answered, “Technically and conceptually, yes. However, it is a compassion strategically planned. The law is interpreted by some human beings as ‘dogs can be fed but not too enthusiastically, now what does this mean?’”
No one had an answer.
“Displacing stray dogs, is it right?”
What human beings don’t understand is that our ancestors had already occupied these lands and areas. For generations, we have lived here freely and peacefully enjoyed the neighbourhood. Since human beings started putting up buildings and encroached our land, we have become the victims of cruelty, unwanted nuisance, dirty animals, rabid and dangerous creatures, to name a few.
“Is it our fault? Is it right to be picked up and dumped somewhere where we have no clue how to survive?”
On the fact of being sterilised, they feel that littering puppies is a crisis. Getting sterilised is a good idea, but what about our post-operative care treatment? Nobody medicates us, some of us are so weak that we die of starvation, heat and lack of medicines. When we ask, humans say they do not have money, and we are not our priority. Is this correct?
After a long philosophical and tiring debate and discussions, the quorum, the dogs came up with some suggestions. The following suggestions were made:
- Despite any number of verdicts, we are still dogs and are forced to live a dog’s life every day.
- We will continue to suffer if humans do not take viable measures.
- We do not understand law, but do understand compassion.
- We are always trying to find ways to survive and protect ourselves and our family.
- Feeding biscuits and food to us is non-negotiable.
- We are certainly not confused about the way we should live, but it is the human beings who are confused.
In addition, they added:
- You can feed us if you wish, and we will opine that it was your idea.
- While you continue to debate and argue about us, we will continue to rile the neighbourhood silently and kindly.
- You can ignore us, but we will still continue to love you and be loyal and faithful “creatures”.
- Don’t discuss us in courtrooms, on televisions or in housing society meetings. Governance will continue under parked cars, rooftops and streets.
After the meeting, they took a group photo and uploaded it on their social media platforms for visibility and to share their concern. Some also took selfies and shared those on their respective social media platforms to share their concerns and personal opinions.
Banner image by Mia X: https://www.pexels.com/photo/dogs-walking-around-brick-square-16465614/
