Administration speeds up plan for regulated feeding and permanent sterilisation
Belagavi district administration has directed the Belagavi Municipal Corporation to set up 30 designated stray dog feeding zones before October 2, following a review chaired by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan. The instruction follows months of delay despite earlier discussions involving municipal officials and animal welfare representatives.
Officials had earlier identified 26 locations for feeding zones; the DC has now expanded this to 30. The administration has stressed that feeding must be organised at fixed locations and times and that clear display boards should be installed at each zone. Authorities say this will help restrict feeding to prescribed areas and keep animals away from sensitive places.
Inspection for permanent sterilisation facility near Savgaon
The DC also directed officials to inspect a site near Savgaon to assess its suitability for a permanent stray dog sterilisation centre. Teams from the Animal Husbandry and municipal construction departments inspected the site to evaluate available space and infrastructure needs. The move is intended to replace the existing temporary facility at Hirebagewadi, which officials and residents have criticised.
“The need for a permanent facility has gained urgency amid complaints regarding the temporary sterilisation centre at Hirebagewadi,” the district administration said.
Corporation estimates indicate the city has in excess of 22,000 stray dogs. Rising complaints about dog attacks and fears over rabies have intensified calls for systematic sterilisation, vaccination and regulated feeding.
- Number of designated feeding zones ordered: 30 (previously 26)
- Deadline set by DC: October 2
- Permanent sterilisation centre: proposed site near Savgaon; temporary centre at Hirebagewadi under criticism
- Estimated stray dog population: more than 22,000
Objectives and expected outcomes
Authorities say designated feeding zones aim to:
- concentrate feeding at fixed locations and times;
- keep feeding away from schools, hospitals and playgrounds;
- make it easier for animal welfare teams to identify, vaccinate and sterilise dogs.
The administration's directives come after earlier meetings involving the municipal corporation and animal welfare groups, including representatives of PETA, according to review notes. Officials have been asked to ensure that the feeding zones have suitable arrangements and signage, and that feeding outside designated locations is discouraged.
Municipal and animal husbandry departments will need to finalise logistics for daily feeding schedules, maintenance of the sites and coordination with field teams responsible for vaccination and neutering drives. The inspection of the Savgaon plot will inform decisions on capacity, utilities and construction timelines for a permanent sterilisation centre.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Feeding zones ordered | 30 (deadline: 2 Oct) |
| Temporary sterilisation centre | Hirebagewadi (criticised) |
| Proposed permanent site | Savgaon (under inspection) |
| Estimated stray dogs | 22,000+ |
How quickly the corporation can operationalise 30 zones and begin construction or upgradation for a permanent sterilisation facility will affect public confidence and the pace of animal birth-control and vaccination drives. Residents living near schools, hospitals and playgrounds will watch implementation closely, given the administration's emphasis on keeping feeding away from such sensitive sites.
District officials have not released a detailed schedule for the roll-out of feeding zones or a timeline for when the proposed Savgaon facility would become functional. The inspection reports by the Animal Husbandry and construction teams are expected to form the basis for next steps, including budget allocation and contractor engagement.
The DC's directions mark a renewed administrative push to address a long-standing urban animal-welfare and public-health challenge in Belagavi, balancing humane treatment for stray dogs with residents' safety and rabies prevention measures.
