In a significant move to manage the city's stray dog population and address public concerns, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has officially established eight designated feeding locations. This initiative directly follows a recent Supreme Court directive that prohibits feeding strays on streets and mandates the creation of specific feeding zones in every ward.
New Rules for Responsible Feeding
The civic body has identified and marked feeding spots in several key areas, including Tiruvottiyur, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Perungudi, Palavakkam, and Ambattur. GCC veterinary officer J Kamal Hussain stated that residents and animal activists have been formally informed to restrict all feeding activities to these designated spots. The corporation has installed clear signboards at these locations, instructing feeders to maintain cleanliness in the area after feeding the dogs.
"We have informed residents and activists to ensure that stray dogs are fed only at the designated spots and to create awareness among residents not to place food on roads," said Hussain. He emphasized that those who feed the dogs are also responsible for cleaning the area afterwards to prevent littering. Currently, zonal-level veterinary officers are monitoring compliance to see if food is still being placed on roadsides.
Expansion Plans and Resident Concerns
The current eight spots are just the beginning. The GCC plans a major expansion of this program, aiming to set up two designated feeding locations in every division across the city. Kamal Hussain confirmed that feeding spots in the remaining zones would become operational within a week. The locations were chosen after discussions with local residents and activists who regularly feed stray dogs.
However, the move has sparked concerns among some residents and animal lovers. A major point of contention is the perceived insufficiency of a single spot for an entire zone. M Kaniga, a resident of Jothi Nagar in Tiruvottiyur, expressed frustration, questioning the practicality of traveling long distances just to feed dogs. "How do they expect us to travel to feed the dogs? They should ensure that every street has a feeding spot. When there are only one or two spots in a division or zone, residents will continue to place food on the road as they usually do," Kaniga said.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite the new rules and signboards, a lack of widespread awareness remains a challenge. Some animal lovers continue to place food along entire stretches of road, unaware of the designated zones or the legal implications of violating the Supreme Court order. It is also noted that the current feeding spots do not include any shelter structures for the animals.
The corporation is expected to issue detailed guidelines for stray dog feeders soon, providing a clearer framework for responsible feeding. This structured approach by the GCC seeks to balance animal welfare with public convenience and hygiene, creating a model for other Indian cities grappling with similar issues. The success of the initiative will largely depend on effective public awareness campaigns and the cooperation of the city's animal-loving community.
