In a significant step to address public safety concerns, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has launched a city-wide initiative to establish clearly marked dog feeding zones. This move comes as a direct response to a rising number of dog bite incidents, including attacks on children, which have caused alarm among the city's residents.
Strategic Placement of Notice Boards Across Wards
The core of the new plan involves installing public notice boards to identify designated feeding spots for stray dogs. The civic body plans to set up these boards at four to five strategic locations in each of Surat's 30 wards. The objective is to centralise the feeding of stray animals, preventing them from congregating randomly in public spaces like roads, parks, and residential complexes where they might pose a risk to people.
This initiative is not born in isolation. It follows directives from the Supreme Court aimed at streamlining stray dog feeding practices and reducing their unchecked presence in community areas. By creating specific zones, the SMC hopes to bring order and minimise conflict between humans and stray dogs.
Multi-Pronged Approach to Stray Dog Management
The installation of notice boards is just one part of a broader strategy. The SMC continues to aggressively implement its Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme and immunisation drives to manage and eventually reduce the stray dog population in a humane manner. A health official involved in the efforts stated that while the ABC programme is being carried out effectively, complementary measures are necessary until the population is under control.
Furthermore, the corporation is taking special measures to protect sensitive locations. Areas including hospitals, schools, and major transport hubs will be safeguarded from stray dog entry. To ensure proper oversight and management, nodal officers will be appointed at these key sites to monitor the situation and the implementation of the new feeding zone rules.
Addressing Public Panic and Ensuring Safety
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by recent reports of multiple dog bite cases in Surat. These incidents have generated genuine fear, particularly when children are involved. The SMC's combined approach of population control through ABC, designated feeding, and protecting sensitive zones is designed to create a safer urban environment.
"Various actions are being taken to keep a check on the stray dog population," explained a health official. "The ABC programme is being carried out effectively, but until the population comes down, the other measures will help improve the situation." The success of this initiative hinges on public cooperation, urging citizens to feed stray dogs only at the newly designated spots marked by the municipal notice boards.
