The new meal plan will target around 4,000 of Bengaluru’s estimated 2.7 lakh street dogs. Pic for representation.
Credit: DH Photo/B K Janardhan
The BBMP recently announced a Rs 2.88 crore stray dog feeding programme, targeting around 4,000 of Bengaluru’s estimated 2.7 lakh street dogs. Food will be provided once daily across 100 spots in each zone.
As the plan sparked debate and memes online, Metrolife asked animal welfare activists about its feasibility.
While some citizens expressed concern about the cost, others pointed out why the plan would not work out.
Animal welfare activist Nandita Subbarao, echoing other activists, said the programme is a “work in progress” and should be given a fair chance to prove its effectiveness.
Logical approach
Sadhana Hegde, founder of Sahavarthin Animal Welfare Trust, which is BBMP’s IEC (Information, Education and Communication) partner, says dogs recognise the distinct smell of catching vans and flee. “Private catchers succeed more when they offer food first and build familiarity,” she notes.
About BBMP’s vendor-led model, she explains “it was chosen over individual feeder payouts for accountability”. “Vendors must share photos, GPS data, and vehicle logs for payment,” she adds.
Chitra Swamy, core member of Sneha Saathi animal welfare group in Kengeri, calls BBMP’s plan to feed stray dogs “a modest start”.
Her team feeds over 80 dogs daily across a 4-5 km stretch. She clarifies the programme targets strays in isolated regions, in vacant plots and no feeder zones, and not dogs in residential pockets.
Inspiration for others
Animal activist Vikash Bafna, founder of Friend For Animal Trust, says the real challenge in BBMP’s feeding plan lies in execution. “It can be an eye-opener for other civic bodies,” he notes, adding that the move empowers feeders to counter objections from citizens. However, he says details like how the tender will run, how funds will be allocated, and target areas remain unclear. For success, Bafna believes the plan “must involve local feeders with on-ground knowledge about details like how many dogs exist in an area, which dogs aren’t easy to catch and the area they usually are in”.
Shelter myth
Nandita urges citizens to consider the pilot’s long-term goals. “People demand shelters for all stray dogs but are opposing the Rs 2.88 crore feeding cost. Even at Rs 10 per meal, feeding 2.7 lakh dogs would cost Rs 27 lakh daily — excluding transport and cooking,” she says. She adds that even if many dogs are caught, the rest will multiply.
Nandita warns that feeding without sterilisation can backfire. “It’s vital to track which dogs are being fed, and how many are vaccinated and neutered — especially females.”
Feeding protocol
Bafna urges that the BBMP will need to consider practical feeding protocols. “If bowls are reused, dogs with canine distemper can infect other dogs,” he warns.
He also questions food allocation. “You can’t assume every dog eats the same, some need more. We need more clarity on how many dogs will be fed in each area and how much food each one gets,” says Bafna.
BBMP clarifies...
In a recent press note, the BBMP has clarified that its stray dog feeding programme has “become a legal necessity” under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. It stated that assistant directors of each zone will identify and monitor feeding points. The note clarified that the meal, planned with expert insights, is not ‘biryani’. It also adds that local animal welfare volunteers will continue feeding outside the programme. A final annual review will determine if the project will continue or be modified.