Ahmedabad:The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has notified 126 designated feeding spots for stray dogs across nine civic zones and 48 wards, cautioning citizens that against feeding animals outside these locations could invite penalties. The civic body says the move is in line with Supreme Court directions, guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board of India, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and forms part of the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.According to AMC officials, the aim is to regulate stray dog feeding in public spaces, reduce inconvenience to residents, and bring uniformity to practices followed across the city. Citizens have been cautioned against feeding dogs on roads, footpaths, and other public places outside the notified locations.The decision, however, has attracted criticism from animal welfare members and regular dog feeders, who argue that the policy is disconnected from on-ground realities and contradicts national animal welfare guidelines. Members of the feeder community say the limited number of designated spots does not reflect the city’s stray dog population or its spread across neighbourhoods.Devesh Trivedi, a dog rescuer and feeder from the city, said that feeders typically encounter at least five stray dogs every 200m in many parts of Ahmedabad. “Restricting feeding to just 126 locations across a city this large ignores how strays are territorially distributed. In Navrangpura ward, for example, there is only one feeding spot at Samartheshwar Temple near Law Garden. Dogs roaming near the Mill Owners’ Building on Ashram Road are unlikely to travel that far for food.” Trivedi warned that forcing feeders to feed dogs only at fixed points could disrupt established territorial behaviour. “Dogs tend to remain within familiar areas. Disturbing this balance can lead to starvation, heightened aggression and increased conflict within neighbourhoods,” he added.Animal welfare members have also raised concerns over the threat of fines. Smita Prajapati, who has been feeding stray dogs in the Shela area for the past eight years, said repeated penalties could discourage volunteers. “If feeding becomes irregular because of fear of fines, it will increase stress among strays and ultimately affect public safety,” she said.
