Kolkata: Dogs residing on the Jadavpur University (JU) campus will soon receive collars bearing the university's name, enabling them to be distinguished from stray dogs that enter from outside. At least two or three shelter homes will also be constructed within the university premises to house and feed the campus dogs.
Decision from Animal Welfare Committee
The decision to collar campus dogs and build shelter homes was made at the animal welfare committee meeting on Monday. The aim is to balance human and animal rights and promote a culture of coexistence. JU currently has around 60 dogs on campus.
Task Force and Fund Creation
A proper task force will be formed, consisting of dog lovers and existing caregivers, to look after the campus dogs. Feedback from pet NGOs will also be sought. The committee proposed creating a fund for sterilisation, vaccination, and caregiving of campus strays, to be carried out with NGO assistance.
“In the past two weeks, outside strays entered the campus and bit a large number of residents and students, prompting many to feel unsafe. So the committee suggested collars with JU written on them as a mark of identity. We will take measures such as fencing or nets at gates to prevent campus dogs from going outside and outside strays from coming inside,” said a source.
Previous Proposal Sparks Protest
The committee’s earlier proposal to ban feeding of stray dogs and cats within JU premises, particularly near canteens, hostels, gates, and main roads, to restrict entry of outside strays, prompted protests from nearly 580 teachers and students. They felt the committee wanted the dogs to starve without designating feeding zones.
A teacher said, “Campus dogs are now fed near Subarna Jayanti, Open Air Theatre, Green Zone, behind Aurobindo Bhavan, and near mechanical and chemical engineering departments. Feeding inside the campus will continue as usual until shelter homes are ready. Crowded areas such as canteens, university gates, and hostels should be avoided for feeding.”
Renovation and New Shelters
The existing shelter home near the pharmacy department, which is in poor condition, will be renovated to house and feed a few dogs. Proper monitoring will assess their adaptation. If successful, two more shelter homes will be constructed. Preliminary locations near the Jheel and Gate one are under consideration, and the proposal will be submitted to authorities.
