Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Establishes 126 Designated Feeding Locations for Stray Dogs
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has officially notified 126 designated feeding spots for stray dogs across nine civic zones and 48 wards within the city. The civic body has issued a clear caution to citizens that feeding animals outside these specified locations could result in penalties and fines.
Legal Framework and Official Objectives
According to AMC officials, this regulatory move aligns with Supreme Court directions, guidelines established by the Animal Welfare Board of India, and provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The initiative forms an integral part of implementing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which aim to manage stray dog populations through systematic approaches.
The corporation states that the primary objectives behind this policy include:
- Regulating stray dog feeding practices in public spaces
- Reducing inconvenience to residents and pedestrians
- Establishing uniformity in feeding practices across different areas of Ahmedabad
Citizens have been specifically cautioned against feeding dogs on roads, footpaths, and other public places outside the officially notified locations. The municipal corporation emphasizes that this structured approach will help maintain public order while ensuring animal welfare.
Criticism from Animal Welfare Community
The decision has attracted significant criticism from animal welfare members and regular dog feeders across Ahmedabad, who argue that the policy appears disconnected from on-ground realities and may contradict broader national animal welfare guidelines.
Members of the feeder community contend that the limited number of designated spots fails to adequately reflect the city's substantial stray dog population or their widespread distribution across various neighborhoods. They express concern that the policy overlooks the territorial nature of stray dogs and their established feeding patterns.
Practical Challenges Highlighted by Feeders
Devesh Trivedi, a dedicated dog rescuer and feeder from Ahmedabad, provided specific observations about the city's stray dog distribution. "Feeders typically encounter at least five stray dogs every 200 meters in many parts of Ahmedabad," Trivedi explained. "Restricting feeding to just 126 locations across a city this large ignores how strays are territorially distributed."
Trivedi cited concrete examples to illustrate the practical challenges:
- In Navrangpura ward, there is only one designated feeding spot at Samartheshwar Temple near Law Garden
- Dogs roaming near the Mill Owners' Building on Ashram Road are unlikely to travel that considerable distance for food
The experienced rescuer warned that forcing feeders to provide food only at fixed points could disrupt established territorial behavior among stray dog populations. "Dogs tend to remain within familiar areas. Disturbing this balance can lead to starvation, heightened aggression, and increased conflict within neighborhoods," Trivedi added, highlighting potential unintended consequences of the policy.
Concerns About Penalties and Volunteer Impact
Animal welfare members have raised additional concerns regarding the threat of fines for feeding outside designated areas. Smita Prajapati, who has been consistently feeding stray dogs in the Shela area for the past eight years, expressed apprehension that repeated penalties could discourage volunteers from continuing their compassionate work.
"If feeding becomes irregular because of fear of fines, it will increase stress among strays and ultimately affect public safety," Prajapati cautioned. Her perspective underscores how regulatory measures might inadvertently impact both animal welfare and community safety if they discourage the very volunteers who help manage stray populations through regular feeding.
The debate surrounding Ahmedabad's new feeding spot policy highlights the complex balance municipal authorities must strike between public order concerns and practical animal welfare considerations. While the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation emphasizes legal compliance and systematic management, animal welfare advocates stress the importance of policies that reflect the actual distribution and behavior of stray dog populations across the city's diverse neighborhoods.
