BMC Greenlights Major Stray Dog Sterilization Initiative
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Standing Committee has given its official approval for substantial three-year contracts, totaling an impressive Rs 23 crore, to be awarded to nine non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This significant financial commitment is dedicated to the ongoing Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, which focuses on the sterilization of Mumbai's stray dog population. The approval was granted during a committee meeting held on Wednesday, where several critical concerns were also brought to light by committee members.
Current Stray Dog Statistics and Future Projections
According to the most recent dog census conducted in January 2024, the survey identified a total of 90,757 dogs within the city limits at that time. A detailed breakdown reveals that 33,671 of these were stray dogs that had not undergone sterilization. This unsterilized group consists of 22,447 males and 11,224 females. The civic veterinary health department has issued a stark warning based on these figures, projecting that if left unchecked, the stray dog population could balloon to a staggering 4.48 lakh by the year 2033.
Currently, the combined annual sterilization capacity of all governmental and non-governmental organizations operating in Mumbai stands at 29,668 procedures. In response to the census data, a specific target has been established. The aim is to sterilize and vaccinate at least 75% of this available capacity, which translates to a goal of 22,251 stray dogs being treated annually under the program.
Historical Context and Financial Details of the Program
The Animal Birth Control program has a long history in Mumbai, with operations spanning from 1994 through August 2025. During this extensive period, the nine NGOs involved have collectively performed an astounding 4.34 lakh sterilization surgeries on stray dogs. The financial structure for these new contracts involves variable rates paid to the NGOs per dog. As outlined by the veterinary health department, the payments will be Rs 1,450, Rs 1,650, or Rs 1,850 per procedure.
A senior civic official explained that these rates are not fixed and depend on several operational factors. "The payment varies depending on whether the dogs are captured and handed over directly by the BMC for sterilization," the official stated. "Other parameters include whether the NGOs are responsible for returning the dogs to their original locations, if the BMC provides the physical space for operations, or if we are only supplying utilities like free electricity and water while the agency arranges its own facility."
Committee Members Voice Concerns and Demand Action
Despite the approval, the meeting was not without its controversies and demands for improvement. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporator Yashwant Killedar raised a pivotal issue regarding the identification of dogs that have already been sterilized. "In the past, a small cut was made on the ear of sterilized dogs for identification. While discontinuing this practice is a positive step for animal welfare, we must establish a new, humane method to identify these dogs," Killedar emphasized. He further urged the BMC to enhance public transparency by informing residents about which specific agencies are operating the sterilization drives in their localities.
Congress corporator Tulip Miranda highlighted a public safety concern, pointing out that stray dogs are frequently found in the vicinity of major hospitals including Sion, KEM, Nair, and Cooper Hospitals. "These strays pose a genuine danger to patients, visitors, and medical staff," Miranda asserted, demanding that these animals be relocated to dedicated shelters to improve hospital safety.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Tajinder Singh Tiwana provided a critical long-term perspective on the program's efficacy. He noted that the same set of NGOs has been managing the sterilization work since the 1990s, with a cumulative expenditure of approximately ₹70 crore over the decades. "Despite this substantial investment and effort, we have not seen a corresponding reduction in dog bite cases at the expected pace. It is time to critically rethink our overall strategy," Tiwana argued. He called for a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the census findings to inform future policy decisions aimed at more effective stray dog management and enhanced public safety across Mumbai.
