Margao council moves to regulate stray feeding, but infra for ABC still missing

In a move highlighting its own failure, the Margao Municipal Council has directed resident associations to arrange community dog feeding.

MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) issued a public notice on Wednesday, appealing to resident welfare associations, housing cooperative societies, and apartment/building owner associations to make necessary arrangements for feeding the community dogs residing within their respective premises.
This notice comes even as contentious issues surrounding the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme — particularly dog catching and dog shelter facilities — have resurfaced, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court directions issued on August 22. These directions now weigh heavily on the Margao Municipal administration and elected representatives.
The MMC currently has no dedicated team of dog catchers, nor has it created the legally required municipal dog shelter. Even if the Council were to set up a shelter at Sonsodo and hire daily-wage workers for dog catching, serious questions remain: Has the civic body made any budgetary provision for feeding the impounded strays after sterilisation, as mandated by the Supreme Court?
The situation indicates that the Council faces a significant challenge — both in reviving the ABC programme and in complying with the apex court’s directions in letter and spirit — failure of which could expose the MMC to contempt proceedings.
Inadequate infrastructure
The Margao Municipal Council presently lacks the infrastructure needed to catch stray dogs or to shelter them. The existing shelter — run by a city-based animal welfare NGO — is already struggling, operating from a decade-old facility with a capacity of only 25 dogs, a capacity the MMC has failed to augment in the last 10 years despite repeated requests from animal welfare groups.
Compounding the issue, the NGO is managing dog-catching operations with just two daily-wage workers, as the MMC has withheld payments under a contract signed early last year. The justification given is the absence of veterinary certification for sterilised dogs.
An animal lover questioned whether the MMC has prepared any action plan at all to implement the Supreme Court’s directives.
“Issuing a public notice on feeding zones is one thing, but how does the Council plan to catch strays from schools, playgrounds, bus stands, and railway stations where they are frequently seen? Has the MMC appointed dog catchers or set up a proper shelter for sustained operations?” he asked.
He further pointed out that catching and sheltering dogs is only the first step. The MMC must also allocate funds for daily feeding, cooking staff, sanitation workers, and routine cleaning to ensure proper hygiene and maintenance.
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Fixed spots and timings for feeding, registration of feeders mandatory

MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council has invoked Rule 20 (Feeding for Community Animals) of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
The rule empowers resident welfare associations, housing societies, apartment owner associations, and area councillors to arrange for feeding community animals residing within their premises. This includes identifying individuals who currently feed or wish to feed these animals as an act of compassion.
According to the public notice, the MMC has directed associations to designate mutually agreed feeding spots based on local dog populations and territorial patterns, ensuring these locations are away from children’s play areas, entrances and exits, staircases, or any spaces frequently used by children or senior citizens.
Associations must also fix feeding timings that do not coincide with periods when children or senior citizens are likely to be present. Additionally, they are required to ensure that designated feeders maintain cleanliness, avoid littering, and adhere to the guidelines laid down by their respective associations.
Registration of dog feeders mandatory
The MMC has also made it mandatory for all dog feeders within its jurisdiction to register by providing their name, address, phone number, and location of feeding. The notice states that feeding community dogs on the streets is strictly prohibited.
“Feeders are obligated to provide food and water to street dogs only within the designated zones and must maintain cleanliness, including proper sanitation and disposal of leftover food,” the notice reads.