Bengaluru: The five city corporations have identified 498 feeding spots for street dogs in an effort to strike a balance between animal welfare and public safety, making these locations the only official spaces within city limits to feed strays.In the long run, the city corporations plan to establish at least 2-3 feeding zones per ward. With a total of 369 wards, the total feeding zones could exceed 700. Those feeding stray dogs should provide food strictly at the marked spots and ensure the area is cleaned afterwards. No bowls or plates will be provided at the sites; citizens must feed the dogs and leave the place hygienic.The move has sparked a debate. With limited staff to monitor feeding points, critics argue the responsibility appears to rest largely on citizens rather than the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Questions have also been raised about practical challenges: should feeders wait until the dogs eat, could stale food be dumped at the feeding spots, and whether irregular feeding could trigger territorial conflicts or behavioural changes among stray packs.According to officials, ‘feeding point’ signboards will be installed at the approved sites. The initiative follows Supreme Court and Animal Welfare Board of India guidelines to promote structured feeding, reduce dog aggression, and support sterilisation and vaccination drives.With these feeding spots, BBMP’s plan to feed the stray dogs regularly has been revoked, sources added.Bengaluru North and South corporations plan to increase the number of feeding zones. An official from South city corporation said the current spots are based on the old ward system and would be expanded for better accessibility. An animal husbandry official said, “Here, the responsibility lies mostly on the public. We are understaffed to monitor every feeding zone.”North city commissioner Pommala Sunil Kumar said, “Seventy spots are definitely not sufficient for my corporation; we will increase the number soon.”In the meantime, animal activist Sujaya Jagadeesh said multiple spots are necessary as packs of dogs would not share common feeding spots because of their territorial nature. “GBA should ensure the allocated feeding spots are clean, away from rubbish and human disturbance, reflecting respect for these living creatures. GBA must prioritise humane and practical solutions and not do things arbitrarily.”Nandita Subbarao, another activist, said irregular feeding might lead to aggressive behaviour. “Non-regular feeders will not stay until the dogs complete eating food. The dogs’ behaviour depends largely on food.” She added that there is no point in implementing initiatives which don’t educate people on stray dogs. “Humans are attacking and abusing stray dogs, which is not a good sign.”
