Designated Feeding Zones Created for Stray Dogs Near Pune Airport Amid Safety Concerns
Viman Nagar, 29th July 2025: In a move to curb the rising presence of stray dogs near Pune Airport’s sensitive operational areas, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has identified specific zones where local animal feeders can provide food to the strays without attracting them to the runway or terminal buildings.
The initiative comes weeks after aviation safety concerns were heightened due to repeated sightings of animals, including a leopard and stray dogs, within airport limits.
A senior PMC official confirmed that feeding points have now been demarcated at multiple locations, including two spots in front of the AeroMall and two behind the Symbiosis College campus. “We’ve spoken to regular feeders and guided them to use these designated areas. They are cooperating. Our teams are monitoring the airport surroundings twice every week,” the official told Punekar News.
The PMC has also coordinated with volunteers to ensure dogs are fed late at night—typically around 11 PM—when air traffic is minimal. “The idea is to create a feeding routine away from critical areas like the runway or terminals,” the official added.
Sarika Funde, head of PMC’s veterinary department, said that the stray dogs recently captured from the vicinity of the airport’s new terminal building have been released nearby, but outside the immediate operational zone.
“We’ve followed all Animal Birth Control (ABC) guidelines set by the Animal Welfare Board of India. Though the dogs were released in the same area as per the norms, we ensured they were not left inside the terminal premises. This minimizes the chances of their return to the runway or airside,” Funde explained.
The issue drew attention after a near-miss on June 28, when an Air India Express flight arriving from Bhubaneswar had to perform a go-around maneuver due to a dog spotted on the runway. Earlier this year, a SpiceJet aircraft ran over a stray dog while taxiing, resulting in the animal’s death. Additionally, reports suggest that a leopard sighted months ago may still be roaming the airport premises.
Following the June incident, PMC launched a targeted operation and captured 12 stray dogs from within airport boundaries between June 30 and July 4.
Another PMC official revealed that, in the past, stray dogs were regularly fed behind the old terminal’s canteen, an area frequented by airport staff and passengers. “Since that section is now closed for redevelopment work, feeding activity there has stopped. This prompted the need for organized feeding zones,” the official said.
Authorities are continuing their surveillance efforts in coordination with airport security teams to prevent any recurrence of such incidents that could endanger passengers and flight operations.
