Mumbai's 70,000 yearly dog bites spark debate over stray control failures
Mumbai's stray dog population remains a pressing issue, with around 70,000 dog bite cases reported each year. Despite long-running sterilisation efforts, newly elected officials question their impact. A recent proposal now aims to expand animal birth control measures across the city's 26 wards.
Since 1994, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sterilised over 4.3 lakh stray dogs. Data shows the population dropped slightly from 95,172 to 90,757 in the last decade. Yet, between 2014 and 2023 alone, 1,48,084 dogs were sterilised—highlighting the scale of the ongoing effort.
Mayor Ritu Tawde has pushed for wider adoption of the animal birth control (ABC) programme, citing limited infrastructure and heavy reliance on NGOs. Her call follows concerns about insufficient facilities, as the BMC currently operates only eight official centres with no plans for expansion.
NCP corporator Ajit Raorane has proposed setting up ABC centres in every ward office, equipped with CCTV cameras for transparency. His plan targets rising stray numbers, which have led to attacks on children and the elderly, as well as nighttime disturbances. However, some newly elected corporators remain sceptical about the programme's effectiveness.
Animal welfare activist Sunish Subramanian of PAWS Mumbai stresses the need for public involvement and clearer monitoring. Without active participation and oversight, he warns, the sterilisation drive may fall short of delivering lasting results.
The debate over Mumbai's stray dog management continues, with officials divided on the best approach. While sterilisation has shown some success, the lack of new ABC centres and persistent bite cases keep pressure on the BMC. The proposed ward-level facilities could mark a shift, but their implementation remains uncertain.
