Residents of NG Suncity, Kandivli, blame injuries, chaos on rising stray menace — but animal lovers say they’re just protecting community dogs
NG Suncity Phase 2 in Kandivli East, where residents have reported stray dog attacks. Pics/Satej Shinde
Residents of NG Suncity Phase 2 in Thakur Village, Kandivli East, have raised concerns about a growing stray dog menace within their housing complex. With over 460 flats and hundreds of families residing on the premises, locals say they are living in constant fear due to frequent dog attacks, repeated bites, a lack of official intervention despite numerous complaints, and a rise in the number of strays allegedly being introduced by self-proclaimed animal lovers.
“It’s been six or seven years since this problem worsened. No matter how many complaints we file, no official has been able to find a solution. Just last month, we witnessed three major attacks. One person was badly bitten and had to undergo anti-rabies treatment. Fortunately, the other two were saved by the guards,” said Rajesh Singh, secretary of the housing complex.
One of the strays seen inside the NG Suncity Phase 2 housing complex. Residents say their numbers are rising
One of the most serious incidents occurred on the night of July 28, when a 17-year-old boy was attacked. “My son was taking his regular evening walk around 8.30 pm. As he passed the swimming pool, a stray dog sitting nearby began barking aggressively. My son ignored it, assuming it wouldn’t bite. But suddenly, the dog bit him from behind, badly injuring his leg. When he came home, he was bleeding profusely. We rushed him to the hospital. He has already taken four injections, and the doctors say he’ll need at least four or five more,” said Chanchal Dwivedi, the boy’s father.
The vicious circle
Another resident, Durgeesh Wagle, pointed fingers at an animal-loving resident whom he called their ‘biggest hurdle’ in resolving the crisis. “She’s a lawyer and an animal lover, so she knows how to operate within the law. We don’t mind feeding the dogs inside the society. We love animals too. In fact, we suggested creating four or five designated feeding areas, since ours is a large society. But she opposed this, saying dogs are territorial and cannot even be moved from one wing to another,” Wagle said.
“Whenever there’s an attack and we try to complain, she interferes. How can we arrive at a harmonious solution? Even the police avoid registering cases; they don’t want to deal with her, nor can they suggest hitting the dogs. If a guard so much as waves a stick to scare a dog away, the same police detain the guard for hours based on someone’s complaint, even when he’s done nothing wrong.”
The other side
Advocate Reena Rolland Richard, the resident accused of encouraging the strays, defended her actions. “To begin with, animals living and eating within any society are not ‘stray dogs’ — they are ‘community dogs’. All the dogs I feed are under five years of age. I am not violating any law,” she told mid-day.
“International law also recognises that food, water, and shelter are basic rights for animals. No dog will attack unless it senses a threat. It's time humans learn to coexist peacefully. These animals can’t buy rice or cook food on their own. It’s our responsibility to care for them.”
She added, “It’s actually the local corporator’s duty to ensure sterilisation of community dogs. When we had a corporator, they told us to contact the BMC. When we approached the BMC, they first denied responsibility and later sent a team during peak afternoon heat — when most dogs are hiding. Why is no one questioning the authorities’ failure to do their job?”
Looking for solution
R South Ward Officer Manish Salve confirmed receiving multiple complaints from NG Suncity residents. “We have tried to take action, but animal lovers from society often obstruct us. We’re exploring a few options — such as setting up a designated feeding and shelter space either within the society, if they agree, or at the nearest possible location.” He added, “We’re also consulting veterinary experts. Dogs are territorial, so relocation is tricky. We’re trying to find a permanent solution, but I’m unsure how much of it will be feasible.”
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