Mixed reactions for BBMP’s dog feeding initiative in Bengaluru

A new initiative by the BBMP aims to provide food for street dogs. It is expected to be rolled out across the city in December ater trial runs in neighbourhoods such as Manjunath Nagar, Bagalagunte, and Pottery Town.

While some animal rights activists who feed street dogs have welcomed the move, others are sceptical.

Minu Singh has been feeding dogs for 15 years. She currently feeds over 1,000 street dogs in and around Bellandur. She shares that open spaces for feeding have become scarce. “We are often chased from one place to another, and sometimes water bowls become dustbins overnight,” she says. She hopes the initiative will solve these problems, but believes the BBMP requires a proper action plan for it to be effective. “They should keep in mind that the feeding areas should not overlap, causing fights between different packs of dogs,” she explains.

Sunita Kumar, a Lavelle Road resident, feeds 150 dogs around M G Road, including Hosmat Hospital and Cubbon Park. She is concerned about the lack of clarity on how the plan will be implemented. “Feeders should have been consulted. We know where the dogs are and how many there are in each area,” she shares.

Pramila Vincent, another feeder, is optimistic that the initiative will help street dogs overall, especially those on the outskirts of the city. “I’m not saying it will be perfect, but we can iron out issues once it is rolled out,” she says.

Following the BBMP’s guidelines for community dog feeders is important, she states. “Feeding the dogs becomes an issue only when we don’t clean up after the dogs have been fed or if we feed them during peak
hours when there are too many people around. These dogs are territorial about their food and could attack,” she explains. She looks
after around 50 dogs and ensures they are fed during the early morning hours.  

What the Commissioner said

Responding to the concerns of activists, BBMP Special Commissioner Suralkar Vikas Kishore, explained that the project has been announced after consulting with veterinarians and animal welfare organisation Sahavarthin Trust. “We will take the help of pourakarmikas, restaurant representatives, officers from the animal husbandry and BBMP health departments. Interested volunteers can also register with us through
a Google form,” he stated.

They will train restaurant representatives to ensure the food is palatable for dogs. They plan to rope in Indira Canteens too. “Bengaluru has 160 Indira Canteens. The food is not spicy or oily so it is suited for dogs,” he elaborated. Pourakarmikas will be given bowls to feed the dogs and will also clean up after the dogs have eaten, he said.