Death of strays turn Govandi housing society into warzone

The deaths of four stray dogs has turned a housing society in Govandi into a battleground with a pet lover blaming a circular issued by the society restricting residents from feeding pets in the society premises The society members claim they had no hand in the deaths and alleged the matter has been blown out of proportion defaming the societyA number of society officebearers have resigned claiming unnecessary harassment while the pet lover who lives on rent has been asked to vacate the flat by his landlord The situation turned so bad that police had to step in and ask both parties to sort it out and reach an amicable solutionA stray dog inside the society premisesWhen it startedThe issue began on June 4 when the Kutchi Sarvoday Nagar housing society issued an eightpoint circular which stated feeding pets in the premises will not be allowed Soon after this Sanket Bhat and a few other pet lovers raised their objection to itldquoMany residents who used to feed strays around 20 to 25 of them living in the compound stopped after the circular leading to starvation of the strays However despite objections from society members I continued feeding them till Novemberrdquo said Bhat an event management professionalPolice casesA fortnight ago four stray dogs were found dead within a week ldquoThe first death occurred when I was here but three others died while I was out of town for some work I found this unusual and informed Deonar police station following which an FIR was registered against an unknown personrdquo he said adding that while the deaths could be natural there is also a chance of foul play hence they are awaiting the forensic reportThe issue became serious on November 28 when Bhat and a few others demanded a meeting with committee members to remove the point on feeding pets from the circular While Bhat claims the members did not listen to him and abused and tried to attack him and his wife society members said they were beaten up by Bhat and gang This led to both sides registering complaints with Deonar policeSociety speakHardik Maru president of the housing society committee said ldquoThe circular was about pet owners and pets we did not mention anything about strays We took the step after several residents complained to us about pets peeing and pooping in the premisesrdquoldquoWhen the person tried to talk to us we told him his landlord must come as he was a tenant and set up a meeting on November 28 But I was threatened by Sanket and a few unknown people that day Some people who claimed they were members of a political party even threatened us Was that necessary Names of our society and committee members have been posted on social media all it has done is defame our communityrdquo Maru addedSagar Haria a committee member said ldquoPeople should verify before levelling such allegations The matter has damaged the societyrsquos imagerdquoPolice speakldquoWe have registered an FIR against unknown persons regarding the death of two strays The forensic report is yet to come We will have a meeting of all the stakeholders in the housing societyrdquo said Savlaram Agwane senior inspector Deonar Police stationVacating flatBhat said ldquoDue to this whole issue my flat owner has served me a notice and asked me to vacate the flat before December 31rdquoWhen contacted Kalpesh Nagda the flat owner said ldquoMy agreement with Sanket was for three years but the lockin period was only 12 months which is over Now I want my flat for my own use and it has nothing to do with the issue But as far as my view is concerned residents and animal lovers should respect each otherrdquo