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.