University of Mumbai Kalina Campus Dogs Face Feeding Dispute as Feeders Seek Access

Feeders who have cared for the dogs for years claim the university has stopped them from entering the campus and feeding the animals, leaving them without food for nearly 10 days.

Vikrant Urval, a Wadala resident who began caring for the campus dogs during the pandemic, said the feeders have also helped neuter them. “We have been looking after these dogs for years now, both feeding and neutering them. Keeping them hungry for days in a row is a serious risk to their health and may even cause behavioural changes,” he said.

Urval said dogs are territorial and do not eat at just one spot, making it difficult to leave their care entirely to students and faculty. While activists are in talks with university officials, the restriction on feeding remains.

“We understand that not everybody may be a dog lover, but these animals were born within the campus itself and should not bear the brunt of rash decisions,” he said.

Citizens have submitted a representation to university officials and BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, seeking time until BMC stray dog shelters are ready and the animals can be relocated there responsibly. In the interim, they have sought multiple designated feeding spots and ID cards for feeders to regulate feeding on the university grounds.

“The Kalina campus is a huge land plot and even students who may be interested can’t reach all the dogs. Some of these animals are young puppies who totally depend on feeders for food,” said Gurudev Singh, a Santacruz resident and another animal feeder.

The issue has also been taken up with the authorities by Nitin Nanavare, a member of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS). “We have written to the authorities on Sunday and have asked for action within 24 hours. We are prepared to protest if the authorities fail to react speedily,” he said.

The University of Mumbai said it is complying with the order issued from time to time by the Supreme Court and the government. “Internal feeding has not been stopped,” the university said.

The campus has 94 dogs in total, of which 78 have been neutered and 16 have not been neutered. All 94 dogs are vaccinated. The dispute remains centred on access to the campus and arrangements for feeding the dogs while a longer-term solution is awaited.