STOP pressurizing security staff to relocate dogs

18th Dec 2024

The Commissioner of Police

Police Headquarters

Infantry Road

Bangalore 560001

The Joint Secretary (Home Department)

Government of Karnataka

Vidhana Soudha

Bangalore

Subject: Ensuring Compliance with Animal Welfare Laws by RWAs, Apartment Associations, and Security Agencies

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing concern regarding the welfare of street dogs in our city. It has come to our notice that many Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and apartment associations are misusing their facility management and security agencies, even SWM vehicles to illegally relocate and harm street dogs.

These agencies must step up, follow the laws and accept responsibility. These security agencies, often under pressure from their clients, are forced to engage in activities that violate animal welfare laws, including the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023. The security guards, who may not be conversant with these laws, inadvertently become accomplices in breaking the law due to fear of their clients. This has to be preempted by the security agencies issuing necessary training, orders and instructing their guards and maintenance staff.

As you may be aware, the Supreme Court of India has issued directives to ensure the welfare and safety of street dogs. The ABC Rules 2023 also clearly outline the procedures for managing street dog populations. However, despite these laws and regulations, many RWAs and apartment associations use security & facility staff and continue to flout them with impunity.

In light of this, we request that you take immediate action to ensure that RWAs, apartment associations, facility management associations (IFMA) and security agencies comply with animal welfare laws. Specifically, we request that:

1. Security agencies be sensitized to animal welfare laws and the consequences of violating them. They in turn must train their security to follow the law & be firm on not relocating dogs.

2. RWAs and apartment associations be held accountable for any actions that violate animal welfare laws. Their society registration should be nullified if they break laws of the land.

3. The licenses of security agencies found to be violating animal welfare laws be cancelled under Section 13(1)(i) of The Private Security Agency (Regulation) Act 2005. Disobeying the court order or order of lawful authority may be escalated to the Joint Secretary Home Department under Section 3(1) of The Private Security Agency (Regulation) Act 2005

We believe that it is essential to take a strong stance against those who violate animal welfare laws. We request that you take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that street dogs in our city are treated with the respect and compassion they deserve.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Trustee

CJ Memorial Trust

CC Home Minister Dr Parameshwar

CC BBMP Commissioner

CC BBMP Special Commissioner AH

CC IFMA

CC RERA

CC Security Agency Associationof India

CC KAWB

CC SPCA