Jadavpur University to place special collars on campus dogs after bite attacks

Jadavpur University has decided to place special collars on dogs living inside the campus to distinguish them from stray dogs entering from outside following recent dog-bite incidents involving students and residents. The decision was taken during a meeting of the university’s Animal Welfare Committee on Monday. According to university sources, nearly 60 dogs currently live on the campus, and the collars will carry the university’s name or “JU” marking for easy identification.

The move comes after several incidents over the past two weeks in which outside dogs reportedly entered the campus and bit students and residents, leading to growing concern among students, teachers and staff members. University authorities stated that confusion often arose over which dogs permanently resided inside the campus and which had entered from nearby areas, making monitoring and preventive measures difficult.

Along with the collar initiative, the university has proposed installing nets or fencing near campus gates to prevent outside dogs from entering and resident dogs from moving outside the premises. Authorities also discussed plans to build at least two to three shelter homes inside the campus for feeding and housing the animals. Initially, an abandoned shelter near the Pharmacy Department will be renovated to accommodate some of the dogs.

A proposal to restrict feeding of dogs and cats near canteens, hostels and campus gates had earlier triggered protests from nearly 580 teachers and students. Those opposing the proposal argued that restrictions without designated feeding areas would leave the animals without food. Students stated that feeding currently takes place in areas including Subarna Jayanti, the Open Air Theatre, the Green Zone, behind Aurobindo Bhavan and near the Engineering Department.

University authorities stated that feeding of dogs will continue until the proposed shelters become operational, although people have been advised not to feed animals near crowded locations such as hostels and canteens. The administration is also considering creating a separate fund with support from NGOs for vaccination and sterilisation of the dogs as part of the broader animal welfare and campus safety plan.