Stephen's warning on stray dogs draws flak from Maneka NGO

St Stephen's college has warned its students of disciplinary action if they are found offering food to dogs on campus with the move coming under fire from the Maneka Gandhi-led People for Animals (PFA) which charged that it was in violation of animal rights.
"Shoo away any dog lying in residence (hostel) corridors and near the entrance to the college mess, library and lecture halls. Do not feed stray dogs. Anybody found doing so will face disciplinary action," says the notice issued by Sanjay Kumar, coordinator of the college's Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC).
"Dogs are not allowed in residence rooms. Violation of this rule can result in expulsion from the residence," it added.

Students have also been asked to guide their visually challenged fellow students away from dogs.
PFA, an animal welfare organisation, had lodge a police complaint against Presidency University in Kolkata last month after it had rounded up the dogs on campus and placed them inside a small enclosure, forcing the authorities to free them.
The NGO, led by Union Women and Child Development Minister and BJP MP Maneka Gandhi, has come down heavily on St Stephen's for the notice.

Ambika Shukla, a member of the PFA's board of trustees, has alleged that the college cannot issue such a notice as it is in violation of the Stray Dogs Management Rules of 2001 as well as the directives of Animal Welfare Board of India.

"There is also a Delhi High Court ruling which says that feeding dogs is absolutely legal and, hence, warning the students of disciplinary action for feeding dogs is illegal," Shukla said.
"We will raise the issue with the college in form of a caution or correction notice and, if needed, will file a police complaint," she added.