IIT Bombay Restricts Animal Feeding to 19 Spots, Introduces Fines Up to Rs 25,000

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, located on its campus in Mumbai, has introduced strict new guidelines restricting the feeding of community dogs and cats to 19 designated spots. Issued by the institute's public health office, the policy aims to ensure campus safety, maintain hygiene, and promote responsible animal welfare. The decision follows recent wildlife-related incidents on the campus, including an event where a leopard took away a stray dog from a residential area.

Under the new policy, feeding community animals is completely prohibited in all other areas of the campus, including inside hostel premises. The administration has limited the permission to feed stray dogs and cats to students, faculty members, staff, campus residents, and the agency authorized by the institute for stray animal management.

Strict restrictions have been placed on outsiders. Visitors, delivery personnel, and contractual workers are prohibited from feeding any campus animals. Any violations by these unauthorized individuals will result in the cancellation of their entry passes and a permanent restriction from entering the campus.

To ensure compliance, the institute has introduced heavy financial penalties. Anyone found feeding community animals outside the 19 designated spots will face a fine of Rs 10,000 for the first offense. Subsequent violations will attract a fine of Rs 25,000, and repeated offenses will invite even stricter actions.

The guidelines also lay down rules regarding the quality of food and animal welfare. Feeding rotten, spoiled, or unsafe food to campus animals is prohibited. Furthermore, administering poison or any harmful substance to animals will be treated as grave misconduct, which could result in immediate debarment from residential facilities and legal action.

Additionally, campus residents are now required to register their pet animals on the civic body's portal. The new policy also mandates that pet dogs are not allowed inside academic buildings. The guidelines have been displayed across all residential areas on the campus to ensure all residents are aware of the new regulations.