Mangaluru enforces strict stray dog control measures districtwide

Dakshina Kannada district is facing a rise in stray dog cases, increasing the need for stray dog control in the region. To address this issue, a high-level district committee meeting was held in Mangaluru on Friday.

The meeting was led by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Darshan H. It focused on implementing the latest Supreme Court instructions issued on November 7. These guidelines were created to control and manage stray dogs in both urban and rural areas.

Stray Dog Census Ordered to Strengthen Stray Dog Control

At the meeting, the DC instructed officials of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) and other urban and rural units to conduct a full stray dog census.
Each department must count the dogs in their jurisdiction and submit a detailed report.
This report will help in planning sterilization, sheltering, and long-term management.

The directive also applies to public and private areas.
This includes schools, hospitals, sports facilities, bus stands, railway stations, and major tourist spots.
Leaders of these centres were asked to trap stray dogs found on their premises.
They must ensure the dogs are sterilized and then moved to designated shelters.

Mandatory Sterilization and Regular Monitoring

The DC noted that preventing stray dogs from re-entering institutional premises must be a priority.
To achieve this, every institution should appoint a monitoring officer.
This officer will oversee compliance, maintain records, and submit regular progress reports.

Moreover, external and internal inspections should be carried out every three months in each of the institutional premises. These checks will look into the existence of stray dog homes or feeding places. Any abuse of rules or non-observance of a stray-free area is bound to receive suitable legal pursuits.

To enhance further sterilization, it is proposed that all the executive officers of the panchayat taluk should be asked to sterilize at least 100 stray dogs in their respective taliks as part of the first phase.

Regulation of Feeding and Public Awareness Measures

One of the main areas of concern that was raised in the meeting was the control of stray dog feeding. The DC has directed the MCC and the urban bodies to reserve certain areas and set times when feeding is to be allowed. Advertisements shall be done so that people know about these rules. It will not be allowed to feed stray dogs in places of people congregate, like bus stations, railway stations, parks, depots and terminals, among others. These rules have been enforced by the placement of nodal officers.

Removal of Wandering Animals From Highways

Other issues raised, other than dogs, were raised over cattle and other roaming animals that block highways. National Highways Authority, Public Works Department, police and local authorities officials were asked to move such animals to gaushalas or proper shelters in order to avoid road accidents and safer travelling.

The DC had also instructed the transport, police, and highway departments to establish a special highway patrol team. The numbers of the helplines should be placed at strategic points and should be incorporated in the district control room, the local police stations, and the highway authorities.

Deadline for Compliance Reports

The DC instructed all departments to submit their compliance reports to the Urban Development Department (Municipal Administration) by December 15.
This deadline was set because the district must file an affidavit before the Supreme Court by December 20.
The DC urged every department to act quickly and ensure they implement all the directives.

Senior district officials attended the meeting.
>>They included ZP CEO Narvade Vinayak Kharburi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K, Mangaluru sub-divisional officer Meenakshi Arya, and Urban Development Planning Director Santosh Kumar.
Representatives from several other departments also joined the discussion.