Municipal plan aims to boost surgeries as dog-bite complaints rise
The Belagavi Municipal Corporation has moved to strengthen its stray dog control programme by proposing the establishment of two permanent sterilisation centres within city limits — one in the southern division and another in the northern division — officials said.
The corporation has identified two plots for the facilities, but has kept exact locations undisclosed citing concerns about potential local opposition. Construction is expected to start shortly, although the Health Department has not issued an official implementation timeline.
Municipal records place the city's stray dog population at about 20,000. The corporation said the move is being driven by a surge in dog-bite incidents reported from several parts of Belagavi in recent months and by shortcomings in past sterilisation drives.
Since 2007 the civic body has been conducting sterilisation campaigns, but officials acknowledge the programme has not been implemented consistently. At present the corporation carries out around eight to ten surgeries each day; the new centres are expected to raise capacity to more than 20 surgeries per day once both are operational.
- Two permanent centres proposed — one south, one north of the city.
- Current sterilisation rate: 8–10 dogs daily; target to exceed 20 surgeries daily.
- Estimated stray population: ~20,000.
The civic body has also planned to appoint a new contractor to carry out the sterilisation work and has earmarked funds for the facilities. During the previous financial year, ₹2 lakh from each corporator's fund was allocated towards establishing sterilisation infrastructure, the corporation said.
Officials noted the corporation's earlier attempt to operate a centre at Hirebagewadi encountered significant resistance. That proposal, which had been intended as a permanent facility, was initially operated from a temporary shed and later shut down following local opposition, including from then corporator and outgoing Health Standing Committee chairperson Lakshmi Rathod.
"Stronger, sustained action is necessary to address the continuing rise in stray dog numbers and the associated public-safety concerns," the corporation said in an official communication.
Local residents and ward representatives have previously raised concerns both about the nuisance and safety risk posed by street dogs and about the siting of sterilisation centres near residential areas. Those tensions have complicated placement of facilities in several wards across the city.
Capacity, funding and implementation questions
Municipal authorities say the new permanent centres will enable more regular surgical schedules, improved aftercare and better record-keeping, which they expect will increase the reach of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. However, detailed operational plans—including staffing, procurement of veterinary equipment, post-operative kennelling and vaccine supply—are yet to be released.
| Item | Current | Planned |
|---|---|---|
| Daily sterilisation surgeries | 8–10 | >20 |
| Estimated stray dog population | ~20,000 | |
| Corporator fund allocation (last year) | ₹2 lakh per corporator | |
Animal welfare groups and veterinary professionals often stress that surgical sterilisation must be supplemented by vaccination, humane capture and community awareness to achieve lasting reduction in bite incidents. The corporation's announcement does not yet specify whether the new centres will include on-site vaccination or expanded community outreach.
As the civic body moves to implement the plan, residents in proposed catchment areas and ward councillors are likely to scrutinise site choices closely. The Hirebagewadi episode — where local pushback led to closure of operations at a temporary facility — remains a recent reminder of political and social sensitivities surrounding such infrastructure.
Officials said appointments for the new contractor and a detailed work schedule will be finalised in coming weeks. In the interim, the corporation continues to conduct sterilisation rounds under the existing arrangement while assessing logistics for the permanent centres.
The success of the initiative will depend on timely execution, clear communication with communities about site selection and services, and coordination with animal welfare stakeholders to ensure post-operative care and vaccination coverage alongside increased surgical capacity.
