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Dog Management in Nagpur: Balancing Public Safety and Pet-Friendly Spaces

Dog Management in Nagpur: Balancing Public Safety and Pet-Friendly Spaces
Dog Management in Nagpur: Balancing Public Safety and Pet-Friendly Spaces

In recent years, Nagpur has witnessed rising friction in its public spaces over the presence of dogs, both pets and strays.


As Maharashtra’s third-largest city and the urban heart of Vidarbha, the city’s changing landscape and growing population have amplified these tensions.


While dog ownership has become more common in middle-class and upper-income households, stray dog populations continue to grow, raising concerns about safety, hygiene, and access to shared spaces.


A 2024 incident involving the death of a child due to a stray dog attack shocked residents and intensified the debate.


The divide has since widened between pet owners, animal welfare groups, and those who either fear or are uncomfortable around dogs.



Shared Spaces and the Need for Designated Zones


The number of stray dogs in Nagpur is estimated to exceed 90,000. These dogs are often seen roaming residential colonies, temple premises, and markets.


Complaints have included cases of aggression, packs chasing motorcyclists, and frequent barking in the middle of the night. For many citizens, especially those with young children or elderly family members, this has become a daily stress point.



Creating dedicated dog zones has emerged as a practical consideration. Cities around the world, such as Edmonton in Canada, have managed similar concerns by developing designated open spaces where dogs can be off-leash under supervision.

Edmonton maintains over 50 such areas under a strategy designed through community consultation. In Nagpur, potential zones such as Gorewada Lake and Amba Khori, both relatively low-traffic areas, have been discussed informally among some civic groups as suitable for similar development.


These spaces, once established, could be fenced and equipped with water stations and waste bins. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) may lead this effort, supported by surveys to identify which parks or open plots could be converted without inconveniencing nearby residential populations.


While such parks could provide relief to pet owners seeking exercise zones for their dogs, a parallel concern is ensuring that pets are restrained elsewhere.


Leash laws, already in place in some cities like Bengaluru, are seen as a tool for managing this. Bengaluru’s enforcement of leash mandates in shared public spaces, including walking tracks and markets, has shown that a combination of civic enforcement and public education can improve compliance.


Nagpur’s residential colonies and markets, particularly those in areas such as Dharampeth, Sadar, and Laxmi Nagar, have reported frequent encounters with unleashed dogs. To prevent incidents and ensure pedestrian comfort, leash rules, once clearly stated and consistently enforced, could ease tensions in these zones.


Municipal staff training, clear signage, and awareness campaigns may be used to explain these rules to pet owners.

Public awareness of leash usage, particularly its role in preventing confrontations or accidents, will be important in making these rules socially acceptable. These efforts are also likely to benefit Vidarbha’s other urban centres, where dog ownership is on the rise and public infrastructure is shared.



Tackling the Stray Dog Challenge

Tackling the Stray Dog Challenge
Tackling the Stray Dog Challenge

The presence of stray dogs in public places is not a recent development in Nagpur. However, the scale and visibility of the issue have increased. The death of a child in 2024, along with multiple incidents of dog bites reported in city hospitals, has drawn attention to the urgency of addressing stray dog management.


Sterilisation and vaccination remain the core tools under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, which is mandated by Indian law. Nagpur’s existing ABC efforts have faced limitations due to infrastructure and staff shortages.

Expanding this programme by setting up mobile sterilisation clinics could improve coverage. Partnering with organisations such as Humane Society International (HSI) India can help scale up the number of dogs vaccinated and sterilised across different city zones.


In Goa, a coordinated effort led to 70% of the dog population being vaccinated and sterilised, contributing to a rabies-free status.


This model relied on public health funding, a network of field workers, and robust tracking of dog populations. Nagpur could adopt a similar approach. A centralised digital database maintained by NGOs or the veterinary department can keep track of sterilised dogs, their health status, and periodic booster requirements.


Community education about the benefits of sterilisation is another important step. Misinformation and fear continue to hinder participation in sterilisation drives.


In Nagpur, especially in semi-urban fringes such as Wadi, Kamptee, and Besa, there is limited awareness about the effectiveness of sterilisation in controlling aggressive behaviour and overpopulation.


Conducting workshops in local languages across schools and community centres can help bridge this gap. Cultural events and festivals, such as those held at Dikshabhoomi or Kasturchand Park, can serve as platforms for public messaging.

Public perception has been seen to shift when people understand the health and safety benefits of such programmes.


Bengaluru’s example, where repeated campaigns helped change attitudes, shows that a combination of education and enforcement can work. These efforts, if adapted to Vidarbha’s urban realities, have the potential to build long-term trust between residents and the stray management authorities.


Working Together Across Divides


Civic issues that involve emotional or personal spaces, such as pets and fear, require structured community involvement.


Nagpur’s response to the growing conflict around dogs must engage with all parties involved. Dog owners, animal welfare activists, residents without pets, and municipal officials all bring different experiences to the table.

Structured committees representing these groups can help shape decisions such as park locations, leash rule enforcement, or sterilisation schedules.


Involving local NGOs is essential. Organisations active in Nagpur already offer rescue services and medical aid to animals. With financial support from NMC and opportunities for volunteers to assist, their capacities can grow.


Public helplines or a simple mobile application can make it easier for citizens to report issues related to stray aggression or injured animals, ensuring quick intervention.


Cities such as Chennai have demonstrated the power of this approach. The Blue Cross of India, one of the country’s most active animal welfare groups, has worked with local authorities to manage stray dog populations through sterilisation and adoption.



In Bangalore, the CARE initiative, supported by corporate donors and citizen contributions, has developed community trust through transparency and responsiveness.


Nagpur’s own corporate sector, particularly in industrial zones like Hingna and Butibori, can be approached for CSR partnerships that fund mobile clinics or sponsor sterilisation camps.

The city’s legal framework will also require updating.


Following the 2022 Bombay High Court ruling, there has been confusion over the legality of feeding stray dogs. Pet owners and feeders say they are unsure where it is allowed and where it may result in penalties.


Nagpur could follow Mumbai’s model of designating feeding spots managed by NGOs or societies, reducing risk to pedestrians and avoiding indiscriminate feeding near children’s parks or housing complexes.

Parallel reforms, such as mandatory pet registration and proof of vaccination, can support better monitoring.


These efforts, when coordinated, will help reduce disputes over feeding, ownership responsibilities, and space sharing. For Vidarbha’s largest city, building civic trust in how pet-related policies are handled will also influence similar initiatives in neighbouring cities like Amravati and Chandrapur, where stray dog concerns are rising.



Implementation and Long-Term Planning

Implementation and Long-Term Planning for Dog and Human Relationship in Nagpur
Implementation and Long-Term Planning

A phased rollout will determine whether Nagpur can transform these ideas into practice. The first phase is expected to last six months and would involve surveys to identify viable park locations, as well as a mapping exercise of stray dog clusters across neighbourhoods.


The task force managing this rollout would include representatives from the NMC, local NGOs, and community groups.


Between six and 18 months, a second phase will include the development of two or three pilot dog parks and the launch of sterilisation and vaccination mobile clinics.

Basic infrastructure for leash law implementation, signage, bins, and park maintenance would also be part of this phase. The third phase, covering the 12 to 24-month period, will focus on outreach and education.


Each stage is designed to test feasibility and allow space for course correction. Metrics such as dog bite complaints, stray dog counts, and citizen feedback will guide adjustments.


Edmonton’s model of continuous monitoring through local councils can be studied for reference.


In Nagpur, where governance structures vary widely across municipal and rural bodies, such feedback mechanisms are crucial for policy alignment and acceptance.


Several Indian and international models underline the importance of balancing compassion with order. From Goa’s disease-free targets to Bengaluru’s leash enforcement, these examples reinforce that coordinated efforts can work when rooted in legal clarity and public participation.


The role of city-based NGOs, ward-level volunteers, and structured communication will determine whether Nagpur’s plans take root and yield results.


A city’s relationship with its animals often reflects broader patterns of community life. For Nagpur, the issue of dogs in public spaces brings to the surface deeper concerns about shared responsibility, urban planning, and respect for differences.


In addressing this, the city has a chance to set a benchmark not only for Vidarbha but for other cities navigating similar divides.


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