Stating that Udupi district has 18,500 stray dogs Udupi Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa on Thursday instructed officials of Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and Udupi City Municipality to open a dog shelter on one acre land identified in Udupi city.
Speaking at a meeting in Udupi in view of the recent directive of the Supreme Court in connection with the stray dogs, she said that the dog shelter should be opened in coordination with non-governmental organisations.
The Deputy Commissioner said that Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in coordination with local bodies should identify land to open a dog shelter each in every taluk. The land should be identified within the next three days.
Ms. Swaroopa said that owners of pet dogs should ensure that their dogs have collar tags. If not such dogs wandering on the roads will be considered as stray dogs and will be shifted to shelters. The local bodies should create awareness on the same through publicity before jumping into action.
The Deputy Commissioner said that Udupi City Municipality has identified 10 spots in the city for feeding dogs. Other local bodies, including gram panchayats, should identify dog feeding spots in their respective jurisdictions. The directive should be compulsorily followed.
In its November 7, 2025, order, the apex court directed to remove stray dogs from specific public institutional areas like schools, hospitals, and railway stations, and relocate them to shelters after being sterilised and vaccinated. Stray dogs found in those specific areas should not be returned to their original locations, the court said.
The Deputy Commissioner said that authorities managing play grounds, schools, hospitals, railway stations, and bus stands should fence their premises properly to keep stray dogs away. Officials of local bodies should inspect those premises once in every three months and submit compliance report to the district administration. If dogs are found they should be shifted to shelters.
Ms. Swaroopa told a separate meeting in her office on the day that the district reported 7,475 dog bite cases (both pet and stray) till date this year since April.
Published – November 20, 2025 08:17 pm IST
