Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to a group of individuals who have allegedly encroached upon its kennel premises at Sahid Nagar.According to BMC officials, unauthorised occupants have been keeping and treating pet dogs inside the facility, which is meant exclusively for municipal operations.The kennel, located within the veterinary polyclinic in Ward 30, is used by BMC to carry out animal birth control surgeries for stray dogs. In its notice, the civic body directed the group to vacate the site and relocate the dogs to appropriate facilities. “Otherwise BMC will take up enforcement activity to evict the unauthorised encroachment. BMC will not be responsible if there is any damage during enforcement,” the notice warned.BMC additional commissioner Kailash Chandra Dash said the group has been claiming to be animal lovers and keepers but is forcefully operating inside the kennel without permission. “We carry out surgeries of stray dogs under ABC at the Sahid Nagar kennel. It is unbecoming of the animal lovers to encroach upon our space and carry out a parallel dog care operation,” Dash stated.Officials emphasised that the encroachment not only disrupts municipal work but also raises concerns about the safety and management of stray dogs in the city. The civic body has made it clear that if the occupants fail to vacate within the stipulated period, its enforcement squad will be deployed to clear the premises. The incident has shaken the ABC cell operating in BMC office. With the deadline approaching, all eyes are on whether the group will comply or face eviction.
