Bandra residents rally around frequently impounded dog

MUMBAI: Dog lovers and residents in Bandra are fighting against the forcible picking up of a stray dog by the BMC and resigning it within the confines of a dog pound. The stray fondly called as 'Jimmy' by local residents has become a bone of contention for some of the parents of the neighbourhood St Stanislaus School on Hill Road in Bandra(west). Jimmy has been alleged of biting six students from the school.
Bandra activists allege that the BMC's squad is accepting gratification from people, who do not like dogs and are picking up vaccinated and sterilized strays on false dog bite complaints.
"Forcing a dog to stay in a dog pound is cruel, as it is like a jail for dogs,"said Anil Joseph, chairman, Perry Road Residents' Association.
Sarina Lopez, a dog lover on Hill Road said that it was illegal and unlawful to remove and displace Jimmy without a written complaint made by the person bitten along with the medical certificate indicating the rabies vaccinations is taken by the complainant pursuant to a dog bite.
Lopez has made a police complaint against the BMC on the same.
Bollywood actor and director Pooja Bhatt too has pledged her support to Jimmy.
"Jimmy is old and has no teeth to eat, leave alone bite. He is on his last leg and there is no proof of him biting children. I'm horrified at the lack of empathy and compassion that people have for animals. The BMC is getting power drunk and acting on false complaints,"said Bhatt.