Kolkata: Complaint filed against Brabourne College principal for banning feeding of dogs in campus

Authorities of an NGO, working for prevention of cruelty to animals have filed a police complaint against Seuli Sarkar, principal of Lady Brabourne College in Kolkata following the ban imposed by her on feeding stray dogs within college campus.

According to the notice issued on February 1 by Sarkar, any student, teaching or non-teaching staff member would be fined Rs 2000 if they are caught feeding stray dogs inside school campus.

After the notice went viral on social media, the NGO in question, Pashupati Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has sent an email  to the principal demanding an immediate withdrawal of the notice and has also filed a complaint at Beniapukur Police Station, in the vicinity of the college.

In the email, written by P Dutta, treasurer of the NGO, it is said that while courts have ruled that feeding stray dogs is a social service, preventing people from doing so is an infringement of animals rights. Sarkar, however, maintained that she had issued the notice on the basis of complaints received from several quarters. “I had to issue the notice because students, guardians, teachers and other college students who come over for writing their examinations had been facing this problem". 

"There are about 20 stray dogs in the campus and along with cats they often enter the canteen kitchen which is a serious health issue. I had no other option but to issue the notice after consulting representatives of students’ union, teachers and non-teaching staff,” she said. She added that although she was not against feeding stray animals and she herself did it at home, at the college she had to ensure discipline and would not withdraw the notice. “The notice and the penalty amount has been decided by the disciplinary committee which will decide what is to be done next,” she added.