Man-animal conflict: Stray dogs roam Vijayawada streets, activists warn mere removal from public spaces won’t solve problem | Photo credit: GN Rao
Expressing concern over the rising number of dog attacks across the country, the Supreme Court on November 7 directed states and union territories to remove stray dogs from public places and relocate them to “designated shelters” after sterilization and vaccination.
But the regulation has drawn opposition from animal welfare advocates who say it undermines long-standing and humane approaches such as animal birth control (ABC) and vaccination programs. Implementation of the directive has also proved challenging in Vijayawada, where there is a lack of adequate dog shelters.
“Relocating stray dogs to shelters is never a solution,” said Pisupati Ravi Keerthi, founder of Vijayawada-based Sanghamitra Animal Foundation, which has rescued more than 12,000 animals in the last seven years. He criticized the Supreme Court’s order, saying it did not address the root cause. “When dogs chase cars or attack children, people blame the animals instead of asking the corporations. Why don’t they allocate enough funds for neutering?” he asked.
In the ₹1,454.58 crore budget for 2025-26, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has allocated ₹5.5 crore to control the animal menace — more than double last year’s allocation of ₹2 crore — but still finds it insufficient.
“Maintenance is poor at the Ajith Singh Nagar shelter. Dogs in such conditions easily pick up ticks and infections. There have been several cases where dogs had to be re-stitched soon after sterilization,” said Mr. Ravi Keerthi.
He also alleged that the sterilization drives are being conducted in a disorganized manner. “There is no departmental level planning. Moreover, the corporation fails to release the dogs back to their original locations after surgery, which leads to aggression and territorial fights,” he pointed out.
The Animal Welfare Board of India’s revised ABC module, released in February 2025, emphasizes that dog population management and rabies prevention depends on effective implementation of ABC rules 2023. The module warns that the creation of a territorial vacuum – when a few dogs are removed while others escape – can lead to further conflicts and bites.
According to VMC data, Vijayawada has about 40,000 street dogs and 320 kennels. Of these, about 14,000 dogs are castrated and vaccinated. “The limited number of kennels where dogs are kept for observation for a week after surgery has slowed down the ABC programme,” said B. Somasekhar Reddy, Veterinary Assistant, VMC. “We plan to build more kennels, but that requires additional funds, which will be discussed at the next council meeting,” he added.
In accordance with the Supreme Court order, the VMČ has decided to issue notices to educational institutions, railway and bus stations, hospitals and other public facilities, recommending them to install fencing and appoint a nodal constable to ensure that stray dogs do not enter their premises.
The company has also identified 59 designated feeding zones in three city circles to minimize human-animal conflict. “We are urging citizens to feed dogs outside residential areas and hygienists have been instructed to monitor the entire process,” said Somasekhar Reddy.
Mr. Ravi Keerthi called for a balanced approach and emphasized the need for public awareness. “People need to learn the do’s and don’ts when dealing with street dogs. They are part of our community and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that dogs in our locality are vaccinated and neutered,” he said.
Published – 12 Nov 2025 18:39 IST
