Udupi Residents Call for Street Dog Rehabilitation Centre

The street dog population in Udupi has surged beyond manageable levels, prompting calls from residents for a dedicated rehabilitation centre. Concerns over public safety and animal welfare have intensified as stray dogs are frequently spotted on busy roads, contributing to vehicle accidents and raising fears among commuters and pedestrians.

The situation has become particularly alarming in several key locations throughout the city. Stray dogs can be seen in areas such as the Sri Krishna Math parking lot, Rajangana, Car Street, Chittaranjan Circle, and various bus stands, including the city bus stand and NARMA bus stand. Furthermore, the presence of these animals extends to the district hospital, Ajjarkad Park, and local markets, creating a challenging environment for both residents and the dogs themselves.

While acknowledging the right to life for all living beings, citizens are urging local authorities to take action. They propose establishing a rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Udupi, which would provide essential services like food, medical care, and shelter for these stray dogs. Such measures aim to enhance public safety while ensuring humane treatment for the animals.

Reports of dogs chasing or biting pedestrians have surfaced, adding to community anxiety. Residents have expressed that, though they feel inconvenienced by the rising number of stray dogs, the animals face severe hardships due to a lack of basic needs. Some animal lovers attempt to help by providing food, but these efforts often consist of inadequate offerings such as biscuits, failing to meet the dogs’ nutritional requirements. Many of the stray dogs are injured from road accidents, leaving them vulnerable and in need of protection.

Nithyanand Volakad, a local social worker, highlighted the increasing population of street dogs, stating, “Even the courts have stated that feeding street animals is not the public’s responsibility but that of the city municipality.” Volakad recalled that during his tenure as a councillor, there were plans to establish a rehabilitation centre at Beedinagudde, but no progress was made. He noted that government land in Manipal is available for such a project, emphasizing the importance of treating stray dogs with dignity. He added, “Dogs are just as important as cows and can be fed with leftover food from hotels. The real issue begins when people feed them biscuits instead.”

In response to the growing concern, Mahantesh Hangaragi, the city municipal commissioner, stated, “We have invited tenders for the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme three times but received no responses. We are now calling for a fourth tender, and whichever agency responds will be finalized to carry out the work as per government directives.” Hangaragi mentioned that a private agency in the Manipal region has already been approved to implement the programme according to government guidelines.

Establishing a street dog rehabilitation centre is increasingly seen as a long-term solution. This initiative aims to balance public safety with the humane treatment of stray dogs, ensuring they receive the care they need while also addressing community concerns about safety and health. As discussions continue, residents remain hopeful that local authorities will respond to their appeals for action.