A report about residents allegedly setting a cat on fire inside an Oshiwara residential complex has once again put the focus on the never-ending battle between pet owners and housing societies. An animal lover in Oshiwara who takes care of 80 stray cats and dogs in her complex alleged that someone had tied her three-year-old cat to a tree branch and set her on fire.

Firstly, everybody needs to treat animals with compassion and care. We have seen instances of shocking cruelty. From stones tied to dog's tails, to kicking animals or maiming them as sport, the list is endless. Having said that, all housing societies could do with a pet policy, to avoid the constant skirmishes between pet parents and other residents. Some residents feel that pets in the society are a nuisance, claiming that the animals harass them or are dangerous. The committee needs to have a clearly spelt out, fair pet policy so that the residents have guidelines and rules to adhere to. Pet owners must be held to various responsibilities. They have to see that their pets do not pose a danger to others in the society. They need to clean up after their pets. This is non-negotiable.