In the aftermath of a Supreme Court directive that stray dogs be removed “forthwith” from educational institutions, hospitals, railway stations, bus depots, and sports complexes to “designated shelters,” a capacity gap within Mumbai’s civic system was brought into focus. It was acknowledged by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that no permanent dog shelters are currently available in the city, and that new facilities would therefore need to be created from scratch or through conversion of existing properties. To operationalise the order, the initiation of a ward-level survey was announced, by which potential locations suitable for shelter development would be identified.
It was clarified that only Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres are currently operated by the BMC, functioning as temporary points for sterilisation before animals are returned to their original locations. Nine such centres were listed in Mahalaxmi, Sewri, Parel, Deonar, Malad and Mulund. These centres were described as lacking the infrastructure required for long-term housing, including individual kennels, ventilation-friendly flooring, and dedicated play areas. As a result, it was indicated that either new shelters would have to be built or existing civic structures would need to be repurposed to meet the specifications. The possibility of collaborations with non-governmental organisations was also mentioned, with design, set-up and maintenance support expected to be sought.
A data-based backdrop to the operational challenge was provided by a civic survey released in April in collaboration with Humane Society International/India. A decade-long decline of 21% in Mumbai’s street-dog population was reported, moving from 95,172 in 2014 to 90,757 in 2024. Citywide density was said to have reduced from 10.54 to 8.01 dogs per kilometre across the 930 km of road length surveyed. While an average 31% decline was recorded across 19 municipal wards, pockets of increase were observed. Rises were reported in E (Byculla), N (Ghatkopar), R South (Kandivali) and T (Mulund) wards, while D (Malabar Hill) was found unchanged. The sharpest declines were recorded in K/West (Andheri–Juhu, –70%), H/West (Bandra West, –68%) and H/East (Bandra East, –59%), whereas the most pronounced increases were reported in T ward (+37%) and E ward (+22%).
Sterilisation efforts were cited as a principal reason for the overall downward trend. It was stated that 31% of male dogs and 30% of female dogs have been sterilised, compared with 19% and 46% respectively in 2014. Through these efforts, improved survival, reduced man–animal conflict, and lower disease transmission, including rabies, were said to be facilitated. Nevertheless, an uptick in dog-bite complaints was noted in the post-Covid period, with seasonal peaks reported during August and September, which correspond to common breeding periods.