Belagavi: The Karnataka Government has rolled out a stringent 15-point action plan to control the rising population of stray dogs across the state, placing primary responsibility on municipal bodies to ensure timely sterilization and vaccination.
Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, in a circular issued on November 19, directed all district administrations, urban local bodies, and municipal health institutions to comply with the new guidelines without delay.
Scientific Sterilization and Vaccination Made Mandatory
As per the revised directives, all urban local bodies must implement the catch–neuter–vaccinate–release (CNVR) protocol through authorised veterinary institutions. The government noted that inadequate sterilization efforts by local bodies have contributed to the uncontrolled increase in stray dog numbers.
Municipalities/city corporations have been instructed to maintain proper records, strengthen sterilization facilities, and ensure that the process is carried out only by certified veterinary professionals.
Quarterly Health Testing of Stray Dogs
The circular mandates that hospitals conduct tests for zoonotic diseases among stray dogs every three months. Veterinary experts will be required to monitor health parameters and prevent the spread of diseases such as rabies.
Veterinary colleges, research institutes, and municipal health departments will collaborate to support implementation.
Public Awareness and Accountability
The government has also emphasized public awareness campaigns to discourage practices that attract stray dogs, especially feeding them at public or residential locations.
The state has set a firm deadline for the completion of sterilization programmes and warned that any delay or negligence by officials will face strict action.
Municipalities have been asked to hold regular coordination meetings with NGOs and animal welfare groups to ensure smooth execution of the programme.
With stray dog-related incidents rising across the state, the newly issued action plan aims to bring structured control and improved public safety.