Mumbai Short on Shelters to House 90,000 Stray Dogs Amid SC Order
Image Source: Internet
Mumbai's civic officials have faced a daunting reality: there are only eight shelters in the city to accommodate over 90,000 stray dogs, despite a recent Supreme Court directive to relocate stray canines to designated shelters after sterilization and vaccination. The court's order comes in response to the alarming rise in dog bite cases in institutional areas and public spaces. According to a 2014 census by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city's stray dog population has dropped by around 5,000 since the implementation of the animal birth control (ABC) programme. However, there are still over 90,000 stray dogs roaming the streets, with only eight shelters available to house them. Under the new directive, the dogs will be sterilized and shifted to shelters where they will be cared for by a dog handler and veterinarian. The shelters will also need to provide for the dogs' food and water. Despite the challenges, BMC officials have stated that the city will need to enhance its capacity to remove stray dogs and shift them to shelters for the remainder of their lives, which can range from 12 to 15 years. The Supreme Court has directed states and Union Territories to take steps to address the shortcomings highlighted in a report filed by senior advocate Gaurav Agarwal. The BMC has estimated that even if 30 to 40 per cent of the stray dogs are removed from public places, shelters will still need to accommodate around 40,000 dogs. To meet the court's order, Mumbai will need to establish more dog shelters to provide a safe and suitable environment for the city's stray canine population.
