Dear fellow animal lovers,

I write to you to seek your support to withdraw a circular (No. 55/2014-15) released by the Nagar Prathmik Shikshan Samiti, Vadodara Municipal Corporation dated 21st of July. It came in response to a dog biting episode that occurred in one of the premier schools of Vadodara. 

The circular reads as follows when translated to English, “Sub: Animals roaming in the school compound. This is for the information of the Principal/In-charge of all the primary schools run by the Samiti (Nagar Prathmik Shikshan Samiti) that animals like dogs, cows, buffaloes etc are found roaming in the compounds of the schools run by the Samiti. To maintain cleanliness in the schools and for the welfare of the students, no animals are to be allowed in the school.  This information is to be conveyed to the schools and the class IV employees.  If these orders are not followed and any student suffers any problem, the responsibility shall lie with the Principal of the school. Let it be specially noted.”

In immediate response to this, we received a call from one of the Corporation run schools, where four of our dogs have been living for the past eight years, asking to remove the dogs from their premises. 

Now the matter has gone upto the Collector and the District Education Officer has been instructed to carry out inspections in all the schools of Vadodara and submit the report within this one month. The authorities are playing very safe by not mentioning anything against the dogs in the media but are doing the needful in the most discreet manner possible, a proof of which is this circular. Also, one of the key officials of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, who does not wish to go on record, has told that there is immense political pressure on the authorities to take action against stray dogs.

I would also like to bring to your notice that the fundamental issues were quality of food, infrastructure development, formation of PTA, security problems with regard to which parents of the said school where the biting incident took place, had long term grievances with the school management authorities. Under the broad heading of “dog attack” these issues are now being dealt with. 

The Animal Welfare Board of India promptly responded to the crisis and has written to the Municipal Commissioner. Also, a very insightful article on the said issue written by Shri. Hiranmay Karlekar appeared in the Pioneer yesterday.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/edit/dog-eared-solutions-and-senseless-too.html

If you could please spare a couple of minutes to write to the concerned authorities in Vadodara to withdraw the said circular, I will be grateful to you. May I also request you to write to the Times of India, who in a series of articles have ripped the cause apart. 

District Collector, Vadodara: collector-vad@gujarat.gov.in 

Municipal Commissioner, Vadodara: vmccomm@gmail.com

District Education Officer, Vadodara: vadodeo@gmail.com 

Times Of India: readers.grievances@timesgroup.com​, toieditorial@timesgroup.com​,sachin.sharma@timesgroup.com   

thanks and regards,

Kuhu Roy

Baroda