Mangaluru: A Dakshina Kannada district-level committee meeting on Friday reviewed the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives aimed at controlling the stray dog menace. Deputy commissioner (DC) Darshan H presided over the meeting and issued a series of instructions to various departments to ensure compliance with the apex court’s order.
Comprehensive census of stray dogs ordered
The DC directed that all city corporations, urban local bodies, and other local administrative units conduct a detailed census of stray dogs within their limits and submit reports at the earliest. He stated that private and government educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, railway stations, and tourist destinations must take responsibility for catching stray dogs found on their premises.
These dogs must then be sterilised and shifted to designated dog shelters. The DC stressed that measures must be implemented to prevent stray dogs from re-entering institutional premises, and a monitoring officer must be appointed to regularly oversee compliance and file reports.
Quarterly inspections to monitor compliance
DC Darshan H also mandated that every institution under the purview of the directives conduct inspections every three months. These checks must cover both the internal and external boundaries of the institution to ensure that no stray dog habitats have formed. All reports must be submitted promptly by the concerned authorities.
Nodal officers were instructed to ensure that stray dogs are not fed at public bus stations, railway stations, parks, depots, and terminals. The DC emphasised strict enforcement and warned that violations would attract legal action.
Identifying locations for new dog shelters
In line with the Supreme Court’s directives, the DC has asked all taluk tahsildars and taluk panchayat (TP) Executive Officers to identify suitable land for constructing new stray dog shelters. This initiative is aimed at improving long-term infrastructure for managing stray dog populations humanely while maintaining public safety.
The DC also instructed the National Highways Authority, Public Works Department, and local bodies to remove cattle and other wandering animals from highways and shift them to shelters or gaushalas. He noted that stray animals on national and state highways pose significant hazards to motorists and require immediate attention.
Highway patrol teams to be formed
To further strengthen road safety, the DC directed the transport, highway, and police departments to form a dedicated highway patrol team. Helpline numbers must be displayed prominently across key locations and linked to the district control room, highway authority, and local police stations. This step is expected to provide quicker responses to emergencies involving stray animals and ensure smoother enforcement of regulations.
Feeding zones and timings to be fixed
The DC instructed the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) and other urban local bodies to immediately finalise fixed locations and timings for feeding stray dogs. Public notices must be issued accordingly. He warned that legal action will be initiated against individuals who violate the fixed feeding norms, stressing that unregulated feeding often contributes to the creation of stray dog clusters in public places.
Target set for sterilisation drive
As part of the intensified sterilisation programme, the DC directed all taluk panchayat executive officers to sterilise at least 100 stray dogs in each taluk during the initial phase. This is aimed at reducing the stray dog population in the district in a humane and systematic manner.
Committee secretary and deputy director of the animal husbandry and veterinary services department, Dr Arun Kumar Shetty N, briefed the attendees on the actions required as per the Supreme Court order issued on 7 November to curb the stray dog menace.
The district administration is required to submit an affidavit to the Supreme Court by 20 December. Hence, all departments have been instructed to complete their tasks and submit compliance reports to the Urban Development Department (Municipal Administration) by 15 December.
The meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat CEO Narvade Vinayak Kharburi, additional deputy commissioner Raju K, Mangaluru sub-divisional officer Meenakshi Arya, urban development planning director Santosh Kumar, MCC commissioner Ravichandra Nayak, and several other officials.