Should Mumbai BJP Urge BMC to Expedite Dog Sterilisation and Build Shelters?
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Synopsis
The Mumbai BJP's appeal to the BMC highlights the urgent need for action against stray dog attacks. With alarming statistics on dog bites and rabies, the call for sterilisation and shelters aims to enhance public safety and address the growing crisis effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Mumbai faces rising dog bite incidents.
- Call for faster sterilisation programs.
- Need for dedicated dog shelters.
- Public health concerns highlighted by WHO.
- Collaboration between BJP and BMC is essential.
Mumbai, Aug 13 (NationPress) — Following the Supreme Court's directive for the removal of stray dogs and their relocation to shelter homes in light of escalating dog bite incidents in Delhi, the Mumbai BJP unit on Wednesday called upon BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to expedite the sterilisation initiative, establish dog shelters, and transfer stray dogs to these facilities.
BJP MLA Ameet Satam emphasized in his correspondence to Gagrani that Mumbai witnesses around 70,000 dog bite reports each year.
"Approximately 26 percent of dog bite incidents in Maharashtra occur in Mumbai alone. The BMC typically receives around 150 dog bite complaints weekly through its portal, and by August 2025, it had already logged 10,000 complaints since January 2025," he stated.
MLA Satam further noted that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the actual rabies death toll in India for 2022 was 18,000.
Describing the situation as critical, he raised concerns regarding the scarcity of anti-rabies vaccines in the city and the increasing reports of attacks on children, senior citizens, and bikers pursued by stray dogs.
"It is crucial to address this problem before it escalates. The BMC must promptly enhance its sterilisation efforts, develop dog shelters, and relocate all strays to these facilities where they can receive proper care, thereby diminishing attacks and enhancing public safety," he remarked.
The BJP's appeal coincided with the support expressed by the Shiv Sena-UBT for the Supreme Court's ruling, which upheld the Bombay High Court's decision to prohibit the feeding of pigeons and mandated municipal authorities to collect and house all stray dogs in Delhi and surrounding areas in dedicated shelters within eight weeks.
In the party's publication 'Saamana', the Shiv Sena-UBT commented that both pigeons and stray dogs present health hazards to humans, and it is inappropriate to provoke religious sentiments regarding this matter.
Supporters of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT mocked the situation by stating: "People perish, dogs and pigeons thrive is the new mantra of life, a distortion that has emerged in the last decade."
Point of View
It’s imperative to highlight the growing concern over stray dog attacks in urban areas. The Mumbai BJP's appeal is a necessary response to a rising public health concern that deserves immediate attention. The collaboration between governmental bodies and community initiatives could pave the way for effective solutions.
NationPress
05/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main concern regarding stray dogs in Mumbai?
The main concern is the rising number of dog bite incidents, with Mumbai recording around 70,000 cases annually, leading to calls for sterilisation and shelter programs.
Why has the Mumbai BJP requested faster action from the BMC?
The BJP has requested faster action to address public safety concerns related to dog attacks and the increasing number of complaints about stray dogs.
What statistics did MLA Ameet Satam provide?
MLA Ameet Satam noted that approximately 26% of dog bite cases in Maharashtra occur in Mumbai, and the BMC has received 10,000 dog bite complaints from January 2025 to August 2025.
What does the WHO say about rabies deaths in India?
According to the WHO, there were 18,000 rabies deaths reported in India for the year 2022.
What actions are being proposed to mitigate this issue?
Proposed actions include accelerating the sterilisation program, creating dog shelters, and relocating stray dogs to ensure better care and public safety.
