Pune: A routine act of feeding stray dogs outside the entrance of Lodha Belmondo — one of Pune’s premium residential complexes — escalated into confrontation after a resident objected to the feeding being conducted directly on the pedestrian pathway and the main access road late Tuesday night.
The incident occurred around 9:30 PM when a resident approached a woman and her child who were feeding nearly
20 – 25 stray dogs on the footpath outside the society’s gate. Residents say this location has become a regular feeding point, and that the presence of a large pack of dogs at the entrance has increasingly caused inconvenience and anxiety for walkers, senior citizens, delivery personnel, and vehicle users, the whole day long.
Several residents have also reported instances where dogs chase moving two-wheelers and cars near the gate.
The resident, who raised the concern, says her request was simply to shift the feeding activity to a safer location that does not obstruct the footpath. However, she alleges that her appeal was met with hostility.
According to her, the feeders responded aggressively, and additional individuals were called to the spot, resulting in what she described as a “threatening and intimidating” situation. “I was shooed away and spoken to rudely just for requesting safety. That’s not acceptable in a civil society,” she said.
Residents emphasise that they are not against feeding stray animals and understand the importance of compassion towards community dogs. Their concern, they say, is about ensuring that the feeding practice does not compromise pedestrian safety or public movement, especially at a busy residential entrance where families, elderly residents, and service providers pass frequently.
Animal-welfare guidelines support a structured approach. Feeding community dogs is legally allowed, but the Animal Welfare Board of India recommends conducting it at designated locations that do not obstruct pathways, prevent free pedestrian movement, or lead to nuisance or danger.
A formal complaint has already been registered on the society’s internal platform. Residents are urging management to implement a regulated feeding space in accordance with guidelines and to ensure security supervision to prevent further confrontations.
The resident involved in the incident is also considering filing a non-cognizable (NC) entry with the police to document the intimidation faced during the altercation.
As urban societies confront the challenge of balancing resident safety with animal welfare, this episode underscores the need for clear rules and designated feeding policies to ensure harmony within gated communities.
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