Belagavi City Corporation has begun the process of identifying suitable locations to establish six designated “feeding zones” for stray dogs in the city. Following a Supreme Court directive, the state government has instructed all municipal bodies to create such zones to manage the growing stray dog population.
The plan is to set up two feeding zones in each of the city’s three municipal divisions. Municipal Commissioner Shubha B. convened a key meeting on Thursday to initiate the search, assigning the Health Department the task of identifying appropriate sites immediately.
However, concerns have emerged regarding the availability of suitable locations and potential public opposition. To address this, the administration may seek assistance from the elected representatives and local corporators to identify acceptable sites.
Once potential locations are identified, they will be presented to Commissioner Shubha B., who will decide on their suitability. There is also a possibility that the matter will be discussed in the Corporation.
The Supreme Court’s order prohibits feeding stray dogs in public places, urging local bodies to set up designated zones to reduce public nuisance. While the municipal corporation is running a sterilization program to control the stray dog population, its progress has been slow, with around 6,000 dogs sterilized so far. The feeding zones are expected to complement this effort and improve public safety.