In a significant move to address the growing stray dog nuisance in the city, the Belagavi City Corporation has appointed a coordination (nodal) officer for every ward. The decision follows directions of the Supreme Court of India and instructions from the District Magistrate.
As per orders issued by Municipal Commissioner Kartik M., health inspectors of each ward will function as nodal officers with immediate effect. They have been tasked with registering stray dogs within their wards, identifying and notifying designated feeding zones, and coordinating with the animal husbandry department and animal welfare organisations to reduce the stray dog problem through a structured approach.
The City Corporation has also issued clear instructions to citizens, directing them not to feed stray dogs in front of their houses. Feeding will be permitted only at designated feeding zones, and feeding of raw meat has been strictly discouraged. Health inspectors have been instructed to create awareness at the ward level.
Noting that roadside garbage dumping has led to the formation of “black spots” attracting stray dogs, the Corporation has banned dumping of waste on roads and has ordered immediate daily waste collection. Strict action will be initiated under the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2018, against violators.
Hotels, chicken shops and mutton shops across the city have come under special scrutiny. The Commissioner has directed officials to issue notices and ensure that waste from these establishments is not dumped on roads. Direct penalties will be imposed on those found flouting the rules.
Each ward-level coordination officer must submit a detailed report every 15 days. Monitoring of the entire drive has been entrusted to department-wise environmental engineers, with Ashok Kumar Sajjan appointed as the chief coordination officer for the campaign.
With incidents of stray dog attacks creating fear among residents, citizens are now keenly watching whether these orders translate into effective action on the ground. The Corporation has also ordered identification of aggressive and dangerous dogs, which will be referred to appropriate institutions, and instructed officials to shift stray dogs to shelters wherever required.
While we appreciate the move, we regret that we have not seen any change in the ground reality. I have lost two cats to these dogs, as they were devoured by these dogs. The dogs turn extremely wild at night.
The pack of dogs in my area are now attacking passersby and School kids en route to their school. In Azam Nagar School No. 11, 5th cross, we request that the authorities act decisively and quickly before it is too late
Kindly take action, these stray dogs number has been increasing past from one month and they try to attack unexpectedly near LeLe ground and Roy road.
Stray dogs are creating menace every single day and more in nights. They attack people traveling by 2 wheelers, run next to cars af if it’s some running race going on and worst is the rivalry of 2 dog groups starts only at nights. Then the barking starts and continues till late nite. An already asleep person gets up mid sleep. These dogs should be taken away from each galli of bgm and put in a new developed area by govt. Also they should be castrated so that no future stray dog is born.
Their population need to be reduced for humans to live safely and sleep soundly.