Belagavi, Jan 5: In compliance with directions from the Supreme Court, the Belagavi district administration has initiated comprehensive measures to address public safety concerns, rising dog bite incidents, and animal welfare issues linked to the growing stray dog population.
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District Commissioner Mohammad Roshan said a district-wide survey was conducted across 8,550 government and private institutions, including schools, colleges, and hospitals. Each institution appointed a nodal officer to assist in the process. The survey identified approximately 22,000 stray dogs across the district.
As per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the dogs will be classified into A, B, and C categories and shifted to designated shelters managed by the municipal corporation and urban and rural local bodies.
The Belagavi City Corporation has begun developing a two-acre shelter and Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre, capable of housing 700–800 dogs. Around 300 dogs will be sterilised and treated under the ABC programme before being released back into their original areas. Plans are being finalised for the remaining animals.
The administration has also held consultations with NGOs and animal welfare activists, who highlighted the need for decentralised veterinary hospitals and humane handling of animals. Officials assured that stakeholder suggestions would be reviewed and incorporated wherever feasible.
Officials from civic bodies, government departments, NGOs, and animal lovers were present at the meeting, reflecting a consensus-driven approach to resolving the issue while balancing public safety and animal welfare.
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