Paws Aplenty: Belagavi city is estimated to have around 20,000 stray dogs, while the district’s canine population exceeds 90,000
BCC commissioner M Kartik said the corporation has designated 26 zones for feeding stray dogs in the city and provides them food daily.
Vaibhav Nagar resident Pralhad Pujari said BCC recently conducted a stray dog-catching drive but lacked suitable space to house the captured dogs. He said there had been widespread allegations that BCC lacked the will to tackle the stray dog problem. He said BCC has taken steps to address the stray dog menace on the streets and would establish the ABC centre at the designated site.
Plans to establish a centre on vacant land around Kanabargi, Mal Maruti Layout and Kangrali village also ran into objections from residents and corporators. With land now allotted for an ABC centre, the corporation may intensify its operations against stray dogs in the coming days.
BCC had earlier set up ABC centres near KK Koppa and Hire Bagewadi, but faced opposition.
BCC has earmarked Rs 50 lakh for the project in its current budget.
Officials said the revenue department transferred the land to the corporation through the deputy commissioner’s office. Construction is expected to begin after the DC’s final approval.