Mumbai: Only eight shelters for 90,000 stray dog

Mumbai: The Supreme Court's directive has caused a stir regarding the increasing number of stray dogs in Mumbai. BMC officials stated that there are approximately 90,600 stray dogs in the city, but only eight shelter homes for them. On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered that all stray dogs be shifted to shelters after sterilization and vaccination. The court issued this directive taking serious note of the ever-increasing number of dog bites in institutional settings. The Supreme Court on Friday stated that the frequent dog bite incidents in areas such as schools, colleges, hospitals, and railway stations indicate administrative negligence and systemic failure. The court directed states and union territories to address the deficiencies pointed out in the report filed by the amicus curiae. According to the order, it will be mandatory for all stray dogs to be sterilized and vaccinated before being placed in shelters. BMC's Situation and Preparations BMC officials stated that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, which has been in place since 2014, has reduced the number of stray dogs from 95,752 to 90,600. Currently, there are only eight dog shelters in the city, with limited space, as previous regulations required dogs to be released back onto the streets after sterilization. The Supreme Court order now requires significant preparations for the BMC to implement the new system. New System and Challenges BMC officials say that following the order, dogs will first need to be identified, sterilized, vaccinated, and permanently housed in shelters. The average lifespan of dogs is 12 to 15 years, so long-term arrangements will be required for them. Each shelter will require a dog handler, veterinarian, and adequate food and water. Additionally, the shelters will be made secure to ensure no outside dogs can escape or enter. BMC's plan Officials said that if 30-40 percent of stray dogs are removed from public spaces as per the Supreme Court order, additional shelters will be required for approximately 40,000 dogs. A pair of dogs can produce approximately 20 puppies a year, so effective sterilization is essential. The BMC has been running this program since 1984 and is vaccinating 70 percent of dogs annually to prevent the spread of rabies. Enforcing the order will require strict monitoring and a robust infrastructure.