BBMP’s Guidelines on Stray Dog Feeding Sees Widespread Adoption

Bangalore: Earlier in July, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) introduced fresh guidelines regarding the feeding of community animals in public areas and guidelines for pets living in apartments and communities. The rules were introduced to ensure public welfare and safety in the city. 

Many apartments initially did not impose the BBMP’s guidelines. However, after an elderly woman was killed when a pack of stray dogs attacked her in August near Jakkur, such apartments are now strictly imposing them. 

Among the points made in the guidelines, the BBMP said that stray dogs were not allowed to be fed between 11.30 p.m. and 5 a.m. on roads or common areas. To enforce this, resident welfare associations had to ensure their own bylaws did not harm pets and allow pets in common areas with a leash but without a muzzle. 

Following the incident in Jakkur, apartment complexes have made it mandatory for residents to follow these guidelines. “Now, any resident with a pet must register their details in the gate approval app used for communication and security purposes at our apartment. It is also mandatory to include vaccination details of the pet in the app, along with other documents,” said an apartment owner in Yelahanka who did not wish to be named. 

“The association has also announced that if a resident is found violating pet policies, they will receive a violation notice. Post the first notice, for further violations the resident will be fined a penalty of ?500 and ?1,000 further for an instance of violation” they added. 

According to the Bangalore Apartment’s Federation (BAF), the BBMP guidelines have solved numerous issues between residents. “There have many instances of conflict between pet owners, feeders of community animals, and other residents in apartments. The guidelines issued by the BBMP resolved many issues and have brought in a better understanding of stray feeding in the community. Recently we also had the entire BBMP animal husbandry department and its Special Commissioner address members of BAF and give a detailed presentation of the guidelines,” said Vikram Rai, president, BAF. “If there are strays that are getting very violent or aggressive, the residents call the BBMP and ask for help,” he added.