Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has moved to introduce structured guidelines for feeding stray dogs and to earmark designated feeding zones across the city, as concerns over public safety and dog attacks continue to mount. The decision comes a day after the Supreme Court raised questions over accountability in incidents involving stray dogs, prompting urban bodies to review their management mechanisms.
Senior BMC officials said zonal deputy commissioners have been instructed to identify appropriate feeding locations based on stray dog density, public convenience, and safety considerations. The process will be carried out in consultation with local corporators and resident welfare associations to minimise conflict between residents and animal caregivers.
Officials clarified that the proposed feeding points will be selected in line with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, with specific attention to avoiding sensitive areas frequented by children, senior citizens, and pedestrians. The objective, they said, is to balance animal welfare obligations with the need to ensure public safety and reduce the risk of dog aggression triggered by unregulated feeding practices.
In a parallel measure, the BMC has also proposed the creation of permanent shelters for stray dogs, following Supreme Court directions. These long-term facilities are planned with varying capacities of 100, 500, and 1,000 dogs. According to officials, the shelters would provide lifelong care, including food, medical treatment, and monitoring, particularly for aggressive, abandoned, or unadoptable animals.
Despite these proposals, residents remain sceptical about the pace and effectiveness of implementation. Bhubaneswar currently records an average of 36 stray dogs per 1,000 people—more than three times the national average—making it one of the worst-affected cities in the country. Citizens’ groups have repeatedly flagged gaps in sterilisation coverage, shelter capacity, and on-ground enforcement.
Urban planners and animal welfare experts note that while designated feeding zones and shelters are necessary steps, their success will depend on rigorous execution, adequate funding, and expansion of sterilisation programmes. For many residents, the announcement offers cautious optimism, but also underscores the urgent need for sustained, city-wide action to address Bhubaneswar’s growing stray dog population in a humane yet effective manner.
-OdishaAge
