HDMC to open pet cremation units in twin cities soon

Time of India

10-05-2025

Hubballi:
Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation
(HDMC) has established two pet cremation units at a cost of Rs 1 crore. These are North Karnataka's first such facilities and the second in the state after Bengaluru. Previously, dead pets were dumped in open areas, causing significant sanitation risks.
The new units will help ensure respectful cremation of pets. The HDMC control room receives 3-4 complaints about dead animals every day. More than 1,000 complaints were received within a year. At present, there are no facilities for the burial or cremation of pets in the twin cities.According to sources, the completion of the project got delayed due to multiple reasons. The contractor left the construction works midway. Later, the opening of the facilities were delayed due to the delay in assembling the equipment. Now, the facilities are ready for inauguration.People had complained to the Animal Welfare Board about the lack of a crematorium for pets. In this regard, in 2021, animal husbandry and fisheries department secretary Manivannan wrote a letter to the urban development department. Now, the facilities have been set up at the HDMC dumpyard on Karwar Road, Hubballi, and another one at the HDMC dumpyard, Dharwad.R Vijay Kumar, HDMC's superintending engineer, told TOI that two units have been set up for the purpose of cremating animals with dignity. "Any animal, including stray dogs and pets, will be cremated. If any resident calls the helpline as soon as their pet dies, the corporation staff will come and cremate the animal with dignity. The public can also come and cremate it themselves," he said.Vijay Kumar said a 30-metre-high chimney has been built, which will prevent any pollution. "The units have been set up in the twin cities to bring a scientific method to the cremation process. The units will be inaugurated this month. The date of inauguration will be fixed soon, he added.Someshekar Channashetty, a stray animal rescuer, said, "Earlier, residents were worried about where to cremate their beloved pets. Those who have their own land cremate their pets on their land. Those who do not have their own land were in a very difficult situation. These units will be helpful," he said.