Bengaluru East, Central Corporations designate feeding spots for community animals

The Bengaluru East City Corporation has allocated 150 spots, while the Central Corporation has designated 90 for feeding community animals. Signboards have been installed at each of these sites. The move comes close on the heels of Bengaluru North City Corporation also identifying 70 feeding spots for strays.

D.S. Ramesh, Commissioner, East Corporation, appealed to the public to feed stray dogs only at designated locations in a disciplined and systematic manner, while ensuring public safety. He said that these spots were identified in consultation with local feeders, animal lovers, veterinary officers and Animal Husbandry Department staff, in accordance with the recent guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. These locations are away from main roads, schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stands, metro stations and other crowded public places. 

Mr. Ramesh stated that feeding community or stray dogs plays an important role in promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and animals and reducing conflicts. Providing food to street dogs in a systematic manner helps reduce aggression and biting tendencies by addressing hunger. It also facilitates sterilisation (Animal Birth Control) surgeries and mass vaccination programmes for street dogs.

Guidelines for feeding have also been put up on the signboards installed. The guidelines state that food should be provided only at the officially designated feeding spots, and feeding is strictly prohibited on main roads, near hospitals, schools, and crowded public areas. It is also stipulated that after feeding, it is the responsibility of the feeder to maintain cleanliness at the location.

All citizens are permitted to feed street dogs at designated locations, and preventing feeding at official spots is a punishable offence.