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Bhubaneswar Takes Action: New Initiative to Control Stray Dog Population

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has launched a significant initiative aimed at controlling the stray dog population through sterilization and rabies vaccination. The program, inaugurated by Mayor Sulochana Das, addresses rising safety and health concerns linked to stray dogs. With a goal to sterilize around 2,000 dogs monthly over three years, the initiative also includes a new census of stray dogs across the city. Residents are encouraged to support the program for enhanced public safety. Discover more about this vital initiative and its implications for the community.
By Narendra Chaudhary May 17, 2025, 09:24 IST
Bhubaneswar Takes Action: New Initiative to Control Stray Dog Population

Bhubaneswar's Stray Dog Control Initiative


Bhubaneswar: To address the growing issue of stray dogs and mitigate associated health and safety concerns, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a robust dog sterilization and rabies vaccination program. The launch event took place on Friday, officiated by City Mayor Sulochana Das, alongside notable figures such as Health and Sanitation Committee Chairperson Biranchi Narayan Mahasupakar and other municipal officials.

As part of the program's kickoff, a dog rescue vehicle was also inaugurated at the BMC headquarters. According to a dog census conducted in 2019, Bhubaneswar was home to around 70,000 stray dogs, a figure that has reportedly surged in recent years. The increase in dog-related incidents, including road accidents and bites, has heightened the risk of rabies, prompting the corporation to act swiftly.

The sterilization procedures will take place at the Dog Sterilization Centre in Mancheswar, which is equipped with 250 kennels and five state-of-the-art operation theatres. All operations will comply with the guidelines set by the Animal Welfare Board of India and the 2023 Animal Birth Control Rules, ensuring ethical practices such as the humane capture of dogs, proper feeding, and the exclusion of sick animals from surgeries.

The responsibility for carrying out the sterilizations has been assigned to the 'Vets Society for Animal Welfare and Rural Development,' a Hyderabad-based organization. They aim to sterilize approximately 2,000 stray dogs each month, with the initiative expected to last for three years. Additionally, a new stray dog census will be conducted across all 67 wards of the city, supported by 'Swachha Sathi' volunteers and overseen by BMC's veterinary officers. The Mayor has called on residents to collaborate with municipal staff and dog-catching teams to ensure the program's success and improve public safety.