Bengaluru: In a pioneering move, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has rolled out a scheme to feed non-vegetarian meals to around 5,000 stray dogs in areas with a high incidence of dog bites. Aimed at curbing aggressive canine behaviour and ensuring public safety, the initiative is expected to cost the civic body Rs 2.88 crore annually.
Under the new programme, each street dog will receive a daily serving of chicken and rice at an estimated cost of Rs 22. The scheme also includes provisions for transportation and logistics. BBMP officials said the decision followed consultations with animal welfare experts and will be implemented in selected zones identified for recurring reports of dog bite cases.
Steady food supply will reduce dog aggression: BBMP
Authorities believe that ensuring a steady food supply will reduce territorial and hostile behaviour among stray dogs, particularly in neighbourhoods where more efficient waste disposal has limited access to leftover food.
Notably, Bengaluru currently witnesses between 500 and 1,500 reported dog bite cases each month. With a previous citizen-driven appeal to feed stray dogs gaining little traction, the BBMP has now opted for direct intervention.
BBMP move receives mixed reaction
The initiative has, however, sparked both support and opposition. Animal rights activists have praised the measure as a humane response to a complex issue, while critics argue that the civic body should prioritise core services such as sanitation, road repairs, and waste management.
‘Dogs have no place in the streets’: Tamil Nadu MP
One prominent critic is Tamil Nadu Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram, who raised concerns about the policy on X (formerly Twitter). “Is this true? Dogs have no place in the streets. They need to be relocated to shelters, where they can be fed, vaccinated and sterilised,” he wrote. He also warned that feeding stray dogs on the streets poses a significant health and safety risk. Chidambaram had earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28 to raise concerns about the country’s growing stray dog crisis.
Is this true? Dogs have no place in the streets. They need to be relocated to shelters, where they can be fed, vaccinated & sterilised. Feeding & keeping them in a free roaming state in the streets is a huge health & safety hazard. https://t.co/plODiKMJDZ
— Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) July 10, 2025
Animal right activists advocates BBMP’s decision
In localities such as Koramangala, where private citizens have long been feeding stray animals, the BBMP’s move comes as a relief. Residents who have been bearing the cost of feeding dogs say the scheme will help reduce the financial burden and improve animal behaviour. Many believe that well-fed street dogs are far less likely to act aggressively or pose a threat to the public.
Animal welfare advocates have called on the BBMP to take the next step by establishing dedicated shelters, emphasising that a secure and stable environment would go further in reducing stray dog aggression and enhancing public safety.