Mumbai News: BMC Claims Stray Dog Population Dropped To 90,757 After 4.3 Lakh Sterilisations Since 1994; NGOs Dispute Figures

Mumbai: A survey by the BMC and Humane Society International/India (HSI) claims that over 29 years, 4.3 lakh stray dogs have been sterilised, leading to a reduction in the stray population from 95,172 to 90,757 in the last decade.

However, the BMC’s claim has been met with skepticism from animal lovers and NGOs, who challenge the findings. Activists argue that the actual number of stray dogs has increased, not decreased. They contend that the BMC's efforts have been concentrated primarily in areas where they have received complaints, leaving many parts of the city under-addressed.

According to the BMC, the 2024 census was conducted to gather accurate data on the population, distribution, and health status of stray dogs in Mumbai. This data will help the BMC develop targeted strategies for population control and animal welfare.

The civic officials claim that sterilisation efforts have played a significant role in reducing the stray dog population. The BMC sterilised 4,03,374 stray dogs from 1994 to December 2023, Between 2014 and 2023, 1,48,084 dogs were sterilised, with the highest number 24,290 in 2017 and the lowest 6,414 in 2015.

The average annual sterilisation rate stands at 14,808 dogs. It also revealed that nearly 24% of stray dogs have died due to sterilisation over the past 29 years, while 76% have survived.

Meanwhile, Sunish Subramanian, Secretary of the Plant and Animal Welfare Society, Mumbai (PAWS), stated, "The BMC should have involved local animal lovers and NGOs working for welfare of animals. We have doubts about the accuracy of the census, and the figures themselves seem questionable. Sterilisation efforts are not being carried out in slum areas, where the population of dogs is higher. If the BMC is not engaging with local animal welfare groups, sterilisation will never be 100% successful."

Sandesh Kolapte, the founder of the NGO 'Manuski' (Humanity), stated, "There has been no proper execution of the sterilisation program. It was only carried out in areas where the BMC received complaints from local residents. The program should have been decentralised, involving dog lovers and NGOs working for the cause. The number of stray dogs has definitely increased in the past few years."

BMC's data on Dog survey..

Total length of streets - 2353.96

Slums - 1622

Dogs on street - 19,436

Slums - 8436

Total roaming dogs - 48,585

In slums....21094