Our huge Milroc complex at Ribandar comprises of around 40 buildings with about 400 flats. After decades of its existence some of the residents are now deliberating the issue of stray dogs in the complex. My personal view has been, is and will always be that the interests of humans is paramount.
Pet animals are an asset to the society. It is also true that animals are required to be protected from unnecessary pain and suffering. It is also a fact that love and compassion for animals is growing. However, when it comes to choosing between the sufferings of human beings due to a dog bite, obviously due consideration will have to be given to the suffering of humans. There is a need and necessity to consider the seriousness of the stray dog menace in a very dispassionate manner not being influenced by any emotional issues and dealt with in the best interests of the residents. Be it as it may, any issue including that of stray dogs has to be deliberated only by a General Body meeting of the residents and not through a loose discussion on social media orchestrated by some thugs with oblique vested interests. Any decision after due consideration by the General Body would have to be taken strictly in consonance with the prevailing laws. Ours being a registered society any decision taken by the General Body would have to be given the green light by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies who is the adjudicating authority in case of any dispute. We have a duty to contemplate and act correctly with due process before immaturely and illegally rushing into any half-baked actions. Some building complexes have a ‘No pet Policy’. But ironically our Milroc society Chairman has Canines himself. All said and done, our bigger concern today is about the two legged who masquerading under the auspices of managing the complex have been promoting their personal trade be it as contractors, real estate or insurance agents. This is a clear conflict of interest and has to be exposed. Running a society cannot be a camouflage for extracting under the table pecuniary gains. We may infact need more dogs around the complex to sniff out all these rampant nefarious activities. Dogs if cared for properly can prove to be man’s best friend. The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have; the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. Sadly this issue of stray dogs at Milroc in Ribandar has surfaced when the entire globe is battling the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to get our priorities right if we are to succeed in overcoming the greatest crisis of our lifetime. Failure to do so will result in our four legged friends who are resistant to the virus outlasting us. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com