Policy confusion? Greater Bengaluru Authority’s adoption drive lacks cap amid proposed pet dog limit

Bengaluru: A contradiction has emerged within the civic administration's stray dog management framework, as Greater Bengaluru Authority's (GBA) ongoing adoption drive appears to be in conflict with chief commissioner M Maheshwar Rao's earlier suggestion on limiting the number of pet dogs in residential homes to three under the proposed pet regulation policy.While the commissioner's directive stated households shouldn't keep more than three pet dogs, a senior veterinary officer attached to the animal husbandry division said there is no fixed cap on the number of stray dogs an individual can adopt, provided they have adequate infrastructure, and the financial capacity to ensure proper food, shelter and medical care. "The adoption drive is aimed at humane rehabilitation of aggressive or vulnerable street dogs that cannot be released back into public spaces after being picked up. These dogs undergo health screening, anti-rabies vaccination (ARV), combined vaccination and Animal Birth Control (ABC) sterilisation before being offered for adoption in accordance with Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023," said a senior veterinary officer, GBA.
Under the current adoption model, individuals with sufficient land or institutional premises may adopt multiple dogs. However, the absence of a defined ceiling in the adoption guidelines appeared inconsistent with the three-dog restriction proposed under the pet policy for residential premises. In Bengaluru North city corporation limits alone, 26 stray dogs were adopted so far, including 20 by a single individual as part of GBA's drive. Authorities estimated nearly 65,000 strays were present in the zone, with another 10 to 15 ready for adoption. Civic authorities continued to encourage responsible adoption as a long-term strategy to reduce street dog population while preventing cruelty. GBA is also preparing to float tenders for a proposed 500-capacity dog shelter at Madi Agrahara in line with Supreme Court directions on humane stray dog management. BOX: Whom to contact for adoption? Stray dogs are available for adoption across all five municipal zones under GBA. Interested individuals should contact the chief veterinary officer of the respective municipal corporation's animal husbandry department. Calll helpline: 1533. It can also be used to file stray dog-related complaints.