MCC seeks public objections to proposed dog feeding zones

Mangaluru: Following the Supreme Court’s directions, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) with the help of dog feeders, NGOs and volunteers has identified 163 locations to develop dog feeding zones. The city corporation has invited objections from residents in 60 wards to the proposed dog feeding zones.

In Nov last year, the MCC held a consultative meeting with animal lovers, organisations, and individuals to discuss and decide on spots where they will be allowed to provide food for street dogs. The identified zones will be notified after considering the public objections.

MCC commissioner Ravichandra Naik stated in a notification issued on May 25, that 163 dog feeding zones have been identified within the city corporation limits as per the Animal Birth Control Dog Rules 2023 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act 1980.

The MCC has uploaded the list of 163 proposed dog feeding zones to its website, mangalurucity.mrc.gov.in, and has invited residents to submit any objections within 15 days. Following the final compilation of the list, work on constructing cement platforms with a water bowl for stray dogs and the installation of a board declaring the site as a dog feeding zone by July. Works will be taken up as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court, officials said.

Based on the feeder forms submitted by dog feeders, the city corporation with the help of Animal Care Trust (ACT) had identified dog feeding zones in Jan. It is ensured that those identified feeding zones are not located near schools, parks, bus stands and hospitals, said sources.

In addition, Dakshina Kannada district administration has also taken up initiatives to designate sites to establish street dog rehabilitation shelters. A site is already designated in Bondanthila village, and a proposal for funding was submitted to the govt. Officials said that there are plans to establish one street dog rehabilitation centre per taluk.