Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Implements Supreme Court Directive on Stray Dog Feeding
In a significant move to align with the Supreme Court's ruling on stray dog management, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a comprehensive initiative to collect detailed data on the daily feeding of stray dogs by residents. This program represents a proactive step by the civic body to address both legal compliance and public health objectives.
Digital Platform for Citizen Participation
The BMC has integrated a specialized link into its official website, directing users to a dedicated form where they can submit information about their stray dog feeding practices. Citizens are required to provide basic personal details, including their name, address, gender, and contact information. Subsequently, the form captures specific data regarding the frequency of feeding, preferred time slots, and exact locations where feeding occurs.
All collected information is transmitted directly to the BMC's IT cell for analysis and record-keeping. City Mayor Sulochana Das emphasized the importance of public cooperation in this endeavor, stating, "We seek people's cooperation in making the city rabies-free by 2030, and this initiative is a crucial component of that goal. We urge all citizens to visit our website and complete the form to assist our efforts."
Legal Context and Public Health Goals
This initiative directly responds to a Supreme Court ruling from last year, which restricted the feeding of stray dogs to designated areas only. The court further stipulated that regular feeders could be held financially liable for compensation if the dogs they feed cause injuries to others. Mayor Das clarified, "In this way, we are also abiding by the Supreme Court's ruling on stray dogs."
Importantly, the BMC has assured residents that the data collection is purely for reference purposes and not intended to penalize individuals for feeding stray dogs. This approach aims to balance legal adherence with community welfare.
Integrated Strategy for Rabies Eradication
The data collection drive is part of a broader, ambitious strategy to make Bhubaneswar rabies-free by 2030. To support this target, the BMC is intensifying its vaccination campaigns. Recently, the civic body launched a city-wide anti-rabies campaign on March 15, with the objective of vaccinating over 52,000 dogs within a two-month period.
Additionally, the BMC has identified more than 400 institutions for the phased removal and rehabilitation of stray dogs, ensuring a humane and systematic approach to population management. These efforts collectively underscore the corporation's commitment to public health, animal welfare, and regulatory compliance.
By leveraging technology for data collection and combining it with robust vaccination and rehabilitation programs, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is setting a precedent for urban stray dog management in India.
