Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 9: Following the Supreme Court’s directive to relocate stray dogs to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination, civic officials in Mumbai have raised serious concerns over the shortage of shelters in the city.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai currently has over 90,000 stray dogs, but only eight operational shelters, most of which are already running at full capacity. Officials said that to comply with the apex court’s order, the city will need several new shelters, each equipped with trained handlers, veterinarians, and proper food and water facilities.

The Supreme Court on Friday took note of the “alarming rise” in dog bite incidents within institutional areas such as schools, hospitals, and railway stations, calling it a “systemic failure” of local administrations to ensure public safety. The court ordered all states and Union Territories to relocate stray dogs to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination.

BMC officials said the city’s stray dog population has declined from 95,752 in 2014 to about 90,600 today, owing to the ongoing Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. However, they warned that accommodating even 30 to 40 percent of these dogs in shelters would require space for around 40,000 animals, a massive logistical challenge.

“A dog pair can produce up to 20 puppies a year, so sterilisation remains key to control their numbers,” a senior BMC official said, adding that 70 percent of Mumbai’s strays are vaccinated annually to prevent rabies.

Animal rights activists, however, have criticised the SC directive, warning that removing community dogs will not solve the problem.

RAWW founder Pawan Sharma argued that dogs are territorial animals, and vacated spaces would quickly be reoccupied. “This exercise will be never-ending and drain resources. Shelters should be for orphaned or disabled animals — not for healthy strays,” he said.

Activist Reshma Shelatkar called the order “illogical and disheartening,” stressing that sterilisation and vaccination are the only humane ways to manage the population. “Even stray animals have a fundamental right to live without fear or harm. Let us emphasise compassion and coexistence,” she said.

Officials and activists alike agree that while public safety is crucial, Mumbai’s limited infrastructure and the welfare of animals must both be considered before implementing the court’s order.