Ahmedabad civic body earmarks 126 feeding spots in new policy for pet and stray dogs

In a bid to address rising concerns over dog bites and frequent disputes triggered by public feeding of dogs, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has rolled out a new policy regulating the feeding and registration of pet and stray dogs in the city.

As part of the initiative, the civic body has identified 126 designated locations where feeding of stray dogs will be permitted. The AMC has begun installing signboards at these locations to create public awareness and ensure compliance with the new norms.

Civic officials said that feeding dogs at places other than those notified by the corporation will invite strict action in the coming days, including the imposition of fines. The AMC is also in the process of framing detailed rules to strengthen enforcement of the policy.

Under the new framework, pet dog owners who fail to register their animals with the municipal corporation will face penalties of up to ₹50,000, officials said. The move is aimed at improving accountability among pet owners and strengthening monitoring mechanisms within the city.

The policy comes against the backdrop of a steady rise in incidents of dog bites reported from different parts of Ahmedabad. Officials said that unregulated feeding of stray dogs in public spaces has often led to confrontations between residents, feeding volunteers and local communities, apart from contributing to safety concerns.

“Designated feeding zones have been identified to strike a balance between animal welfare and public safety. People will be sensitised through signboards and awareness drives, but violations will not be tolerated once the rules are enforced,” a senior AMC official said.

The civic body said the new policy seeks to bring clarity and uniformity in handling issues related to stray and pet dogs, while ensuring that public spaces remain safe and free from conflict. Further guidelines and enforcement mechanisms are expected to be notified in the coming weeks.