Navi Mumbai

Seawoods Estates Ltd

Nerul

SPCA

Fights between pet lovers and other residents are all too common in housing societies in the city, but one complex inhas taken this fight to the next level. It has threatened those who feed strays with `social boycott' and has promised to name and shame them regularly. Female pet lovers, who are victims of this `social boycott', even received packages with lewd pictures on May 28, mentioning their love for dogs, which led to the filing of an FIR against unknown offenders.(SEL), an upscale housing complex comprising 46 buildings in, has witnessed an ugly clash between pet owners and the society's board of directors since February this year. On Sunday, yet another notice was put up, warning residents against feeding strays and further saying that pictures of some of them had been submitted to the police.“Feeding strays is illegal without Animal Welfare Board of India registration and at places close to residences not their own.We regret that some of our residents have shown scant regard to the above principles and have been violating these rules in spite of repeated requests,“ the notice states. “We have two sets of photographs as evidence of violation and submitted them to the police.Further names with photographs of residents will be displayed on the notice board at appropriate time.“ The notice came a day after the NRI police advised the victims to file an application against the “social boycott“ notice for violation of privacy as it revealed their personal details and shamed them publicly by circulating pamphlets in the complex.The first notice, put up on February 28, published names, telephone numbers, email IDs and addresses of seven animal lovers.The notice read, “When you see any family member from the above mentioned 7 flats carrying a pet dog, send all particulars by letteremail with photograph of owner with the pet dog. We may socially boycott these 7 families because their law-abiding nature for stray dogs is our inconvenience. We may advise SEL to clamp their vehicles on priority if found in `No Parking' areas and check their I-cards whenever they enter the complex because they are so law abiding.“The notice also urges residents to circulate the notice on social media “to bring out the true character of these pseudo dog lovers“.In April, the Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals () issued a notice to SEL management for criminal intimidation and harassment of citizens, reminding them of Supreme Court guidelines that say feeding of strays inside a society is not illegal.Things took a turn for the worse on May 28 when seven residents who were “socially boycotted“ received packets comprising pornographic content, including pictures of dogs. On May 30, an FIR was filed at the NRI Sagari police station against unknown offenders for outraging modesty.Ranjit Singh, chief estates manager of SEL, who signed the notice put up on Sunday, insisted that Seawoods was not a petunfriendly complex. “The issues put up in the recent notice were put up by the board of directors. For us, every individual resident is equal. If some of them are feeling harassed, we cannot do anything. There are pet owners with registered documents. We have to cater to both sides,“ he said. He, however, added that the stray dog menace needed to be curtailed. “Stray dogs are a threat. We get repeated complaints of dog bites. Senior citizens and kids are scared. Around 40 strays are fed every day in the garden area and it is littered. We have had to appoint one person just to remove dog poop. We got 300 signatures from residents to ensure pet discipline inside the complex.“ Regarding the packets with lewd content delivered to women, Singh said, “We strongly condemn harassment of women.We have asked the ACP to find out the culprit who sent those lewd pictures. We will co-operate with the police.“ Radheshyam Agarwal, chairman of SEL, added, “I am pained and distressed by this incident and not in a proper frame of mind to comment.We have submitted all relevant documents to the police.“ Ashok Fule, investigating officer, NRI Coastal police remained unavailable for comment.A woman who has faced harassment for feeding strays told Mirror, “This is such a pet unfriendly complex. In my 17 years of living here I have never faced this kind of alienation. Who puts up names and contact numbers of residents? Our dogs are toilet trained and still they prevent our dogs from using the lifts. When we feed strays, we ensure the place isn't littered.“Meanwhile, Garima Moghe, a resident of building no 24 in the society, said she did not like stray dogs and feared for her daughter and herself.