Belagavi City Corporation has decided to conduct a comprehensive census of stray dogs across the city. The Municipal Corporation will issue a tender to appoint a contractor for the counting process. During the survey, sterilized dogs will be recorded separately to maintain accurate data.
This decision was approved in the recent Health Standing Committee meeting. It was also decided to expand the sterilization capacity for stray dogs, as well as to address pending sterilization work. To boost capacity, doctors will be hired on a contractual basis, or support will be sought from the Animal Husbandry Department.
An affidavit regarding the census and survey will be submitted to the state government and later filed in the Supreme Court, as mandated. The Health and Environment Department emphasized the urgent need to complete the stray dog enumeration.
Additionally, six feeding zones are planned to be set up across the city. The department has already begun identifying suitable locations to establish these zones.
Since 2007, Belagavi Municipal Corporation has been running a sterilization campaign, but with inconsistent progress. Last year, Health Officer Dr. Sanjeev Nandre reported approximately 19,000 stray dogs in the city. However, the exact number of sterilized dogs remains unknown, prompting the decision to maintain a separate record during the census.
During the meeting, Arogya Standing Committee President Lakshmi Rathod proposed relocating the sterilization center, while member Nitin Jadhav suggested building a dedicated shelter for stray dogs. However, Health Officer Dr. Nandre and Assistant Executive Engineer Hanmant Kaladagi explained that relocation would face delays. Therefore, the committee approved enhancing the existing sterilization center in Srinagar with additional facilities.
The Municipal Corporation confirmed that the census will include all stray animals present in the city.