Bhubaneswar: At least 18 institutions functioning under Odisha’s Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) have been found without boundary walls, raising concerns over the entry of stray dogs and the safety of inmates on their premises.
The department has directed district officials to take immediate corrective measures after identifying infrastructure and waste-management gaps in several institutions across the state.
In a letter issued on August 10, SSEPD Director Parul Patawari directed all District Social Security Officers (DSSOs) to ensure that measures are taken on an urgent basis to prevent stray dog incidents in institutional premises.
The department has collected information on infrastructure and preventive measures from 376 institutions functioning under various districts. The data is being compiled for submission of a compliance affidavit before the Orissa High Court in connection with the Supreme Court’s directions in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5 of 2025 concerning the prevention of dog bite incidents and management of stray dogs in institutional premises.
According to the information submitted by the districts, 18 institutions do not have boundary walls, leaving their campuses vulnerable to the entry of stray dogs and other animals.
The institutions without boundary walls are located in Balasore, Bhadrak, Balangir, Boudh, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Kendrapara and Subarnapur districts.
The department has also identified two institutions in Bhadrak and Deogarh districts that do not have permanent functional gates. The concerned officials have been asked to coordinate with the institution authorities and ensure that permanent gates are installed at the earliest.
Apart from infrastructure gaps, the department has flagged improper waste management at three institutions in Jajpur and Kalahandi districts.
Officials said poor waste disposal could attract stray dogs and contribute to their frequent entry into institutional premises, increasing the risk of dog bite incidents.
The SSEPD has directed the concerned DSSOs to coordinate with grantee organisations and institution authorities and ensure that the identified deficiencies are rectified immediately.
The department has also sought an undertaking from the respective districts certifying that the information furnished by them is true, correct and complete. The districts have also been asked to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) detailing the measures taken to address the identified deficiencies.
The directions assume significance as the SSEPD is required to furnish a compliance affidavit before the Orissa High Court in connection with the Supreme Court’s directions on preventing dog bite incidents and managing stray dogs in institutional premises.
Officials have been asked to treat the matter as urgent and ensure that the necessary corrective measures are completed without delay.
