Feeding Community (Street) Dogs: An effort to nab dogs, vaccinate and sterilize: Suralkar Vikas Kishor

Bengaluru Express
Bengaluru, July 13: The Animal Husbandry Department of the BBMP had invited tenders to provide food to community (street) dogs. After evaluating the pros and cons of the initiative, a final decision has been taken. Several media outlets have reported on this, and the topic has been actively discussed and analyzed across various social media platforms. In light of this, the following official clarification has been issued:

BBMP initiated feeding of street dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a continuation of that effort, food was provided to a specific number of dogs last year as well. Based on the lessons learned from that program, this year’s initiative is an improvement and is also a statutory requirement as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, notified by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). BBMP has invited tenders for the supply of balanced meals to be served at designated feeding points across each zone, identified and monitored by the respective Assistant Directors.
The initiative offers several benefits. Catching feral dogs is a major challenge. In certain areas, scarcity of food forces dogs to form aggressive packs, increasing the likelihood of dog bites. The feeding program is aimed at addressing such issues.
Feeding makes it easier to catch the dogs for sterilization and vaccination. This, in turn, boosts the effectiveness of animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination campaigns. Designated feeding spots help reduce pack behavior and food-related aggression. A mass vaccination drive is already underway. Balanced nutrition will improve the overall health of dogs, which reduces the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. This initiative is a part of the broader public health effort under the animal health program to control rabies.
Out of the estimated 2.7 lakh street dogs in the city, only about 4,000 — those most vulnerable due to lack of access to food — have been targeted under this initiative. When implemented at ward level with identified feeding spots, this can create significant local impact. Approximately 70% of BBMP wards have already achieved sterilization targets. However, certain wards still face challenges in catching dogs or reducing bite incidents. Focused feeding is being implemented in such areas to bring about improvement. BBMP continues to prioritize its animal birth control program across the city. In other areas, dog feeding is already being actively managed by volunteer animal lovers and NGOs.
The total estimated cost of the project is ₹2.88 crore. It involves setting up 100 feeding locations per zone, providing one meal a day to 500 dogs per zone for 365 days a year. The per-dog daily cost is ₹19 (excluding taxes), broken down as follows: a) ₹8 – for daily transport, food distribution, and cleaning at the feeding sites b) ₹11 – for the cost of food itself

These details were made public several weeks ago. Hence, they should not be considered new or revised figures.

BBMP will continue monitoring the effectiveness of this initiative in terms of sterilization, vaccination coverage, and reduction in dog bite cases. Based on a comprehensive review at the end of the year, decisions will be made regarding the program’s continuation or future modifications.
Relocation or institutional sheltering of street dogs is prohibited by law. The AWBI’s Animal Birth Control guidelines provide comprehensive directives on this matter.
By enhancing sterilization rates through this program, BBMP aims to keep the street dog population under control. Animal birth control and vaccination efforts remain a high priority for the civic body.
The BBMP’s feeding program is aligned with the revised ABC guidelines issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India. These guidelines include clear recommendations that local authorities are required to implement.
As dogs are carnivorous, the meals will be nutritionally balanced, consisting of boiled chicken (for protein), rice, and vegetables. This combination is designed to be suitable and easily digestible for street dogs.
The tender document only lists the nutritional components of the meal. The term “biryani” does not appear anywhere. The food will be appropriate, nutritionally balanced, and based on veterinary advice, drawing from the pilot project implemented last year.

In summary, the Special Commissioner of the Animal Husbandry Department Suralkar Vikas Kishor, has issued this official clarification regarding the BBMP’s street dog feeding program.

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