Mumbai: The BMC Standing Committee on Wednesday approved three-year contracts worth Rs 23 crore to nine NGOs for sterilising stray dogs under the animal birth control programme even as committee members raised concerns over identification of sterilised dogs and the need for more shelters.The dog census conducted in Jan 2024 showed that of the 90,757 dogs surveyed at that time, 33,671 stray dogs–22,447 males and 11,224 females–had not been sterilised. This, according to the civic veterinary health department, could increase the population of stray dogs to 4.48 lakh by 2033.Currently, the annual sterilisation capacity of governmental and non-governmental organizations stands at 29,668. Accordingly, a target has been set to sterilise and vaccinate at least 75% of this available capacity, that is a total of 22,251 stray dogs.As part of the Animal Birth Control program, from 1994 to August 2025, 4.34 lakh sterilization surgeries have been performed on stray dogs by the nine NGOs. As per the veterinary health department, sums of Rs 1,450, 1,650 and Rs 1,850 will be given to the NGOs per dog for sterilisation. A civic official said the rates vary depending on factors such as if the dogs are caught and handed over by BMC for sterilisation. “There also are other parameters like whether the dogs are to be dropped back at its original location, if the space is provided by the BMC, or if we are only providing free electricity and water and the space is provided by the agency,” said a civic official.MNS corporator Yashwant Killedar sought measures to help identify sterilised dogs. “Earlier, a cut was made on the ear of the sterilised dogs. The practice has now been discontinued, which is good, but there should be a way to identify these dogs,” said Killedar, adding that BMC should inform the public about the agency involved in the drive.Congress corporator Tulip Miranda said strays are found in the wards of Sion, KEM, Nair and Cooper Hospitals and they pose a danger to patients. Miranda demanded that these strays be moved to shelters. BJP corporator Tajinder Singh Tiwana said that since the nineties the same NGOs have been handling this sterilisation work, with ₹70 crore spent so far. “However, as we are still unable to bring down dog bite cases at this pace, it is time to rethink the strategy. A comprehensive analysis of the Census findings will be undertaken for data-driven policy decisions for management of strays and enhancing public safety,” he added.(Inputs by Clara Lewis)
