Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to Launch Comprehensive Stray Dog Survey Amid Supreme Court Hearing
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced plans to conduct a detailed survey of stray dogs across all 48 wards within its jurisdiction. This initiative comes as the Supreme Court is actively hearing a case related to the management of stray dogs in urban areas. The last such census in Ahmedabad was conducted in 2019, which recorded approximately 2.1 lakh stray dogs within the city limits.
Background and Current Estimates
According to recent AMC estimates, the current stray dog population in Ahmedabad is around 1.5 lakh. Since January 2025, the AMC has been implementing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips in stray dogs, with an application developed to track this data. So far, RFID chips have been implanted in 6,007 stray dogs, marking a step towards better monitoring and management.
Survey Details and Objectives
The new free roaming street dog survey will be carried out by an agency hired by the Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD) of the AMC. Naresh Rajput, Head of Department at CNCD, explained that the survey is essential to create infrastructure for relocating stray dogs from public spaces like schools and hospitals, as per Supreme Court guidelines. The tender process for selecting the agency is underway, with the deadline set for February 13.
Key objectives of the survey include:
- Ward-wise and total counts of free-roaming street dogs in the AMC area, covering 480.88 square kilometers.
- Detailed data on sterilized and non-sterilized dogs, including gender-specific numbers, pregnant females, lactating females, and sick animals.
- Identification of dogs with low body condition scores, such as those with skin infections or injuries, which are unfit for sterilization.
- Calculation of dog-human ratios and dog density metrics to assess urban safety and resource allocation.
Challenges and Previous Efforts
One significant challenge for the survey agency will be identifying stray dogs that were sterilized before 2025 and have RFID chips implanted. This builds on past efforts, including a mass sterilization program post-2019 that neutered around 1.94 lakh dogs. As a result, daily sterilization rates have dropped from 150-170 dogs to 30-35 dogs, with current focus on vulnerable areas like villages along the Sardar Patel Ring Road.
Rising Concerns and National Context
The survey is timely, given increasing concerns over dog bite cases. AMC data shows a rise in rabies vaccine administrations from 5,000-5,500 per month three years ago to 7,000-7,500 currently. While no rabies deaths were reported in Ahmedabad in 2025, a case in 2024 highlighted the risks. Nearly 20-25% of dog bite cases are reported from areas outside AMC limits, indicating a broader regional issue.
A report by the High-Level Committee on Urban Planning under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has called for urgent attention to the stray dog problem. It notes a national increase in dog bite cases from 21.8 lakh in 2022 to 27.5 lakh in 2023, despite sterilization efforts. The report attributes the issue partly to feeding practices and poor solid waste management, recommending zero waste programs and improved veterinary infrastructure.
Future Implications and Safety Measures
With walkers in cities like Delhi and Ahmedabad being particularly vulnerable, the report emphasizes that India has the highest number of stray dogs and rabies deaths globally. The AMC's survey aims to address these safety concerns by providing accurate data for targeted interventions, such as better waste management and adoption incentives.
In summary, the AMC's comprehensive stray dog survey represents a critical step towards managing urban animal populations, aligning with Supreme Court directives and national health priorities. The findings are expected to inform future policies and infrastructure developments to enhance public safety and animal welfare in Ahmedabad.
