November 08, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revealed that Mumbai has over 90,000 stray dogs but only eight shelters to accommodate them, raising concerns about the city’s preparedness to comply with the Supreme Court’s recent order on relocating stray canines.
The Supreme Court, noting an “alarming rise” in dog bite incidents within institutional areas such as schools, hospitals, and railway stations, directed on Friday the relocation of stray dogs to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination. The bench observed that recurring dog bites reflected “not only administrative apathy but also a systemic failure” to ensure safety in such public spaces.
Following the apex court’s order, civic officials said that more shelters need to be set up across Mumbai to implement the directive. The BMC’s last stray dog census, conducted 11 years ago, recorded 95,752 stray dogs. The number has since reduced by around 5,000, owing to the civic body’s animal birth control (ABC) programme operational since 2014.
However, officials noted that the existing eight shelters lack sufficient capacity since dogs were previously released after sterilisation as per the old protocol. “The SC directive says first sterilise the dogs before shifting them to a shelter, where they will be required to appoint dog handlers and a veterinarian, besides making arrangements for their food and water,” a senior BMC official said.
Officials estimated that if 30–40% of the city’s strays—about 40,000 dogs—are relocated from sensitive areas, the city will need significant infrastructure upgrades. They added that shelters must be properly fenced and monitored to prevent escapes or the entry of other dogs.
Effective sterilisation and annual vaccination of at least 70% of the dog population, as mandated under ABC rules, will remain key to controlling the population and preventing rabies transmission, the BMC said.
Source: Business Standard
