Over 54,000 stray dogs sterilised in 6 months, MCD tells SC; data shows month-on-month dip

Across 232 MCD wards, the document states, approximately 70% sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs has been completed.

Another key point highlighted in the affidavit is that the feeding points have been identified, as directed by the top court, and boards have already been installed at various locations, including Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This comes after two foreign coaches were bitten by stray dogs at the World Para Athletics Championships inside the stadium on October 3.

Last week, The Indian Express had reported that a total of 292 feeding points have been identified across twelve zones of the national capital for designated feeding points for stray dogs in 80 municipal wards out of 250, with a dedicated helpline numbers to receive complaints relating to violations of feeding regulations or stray dog management.

Across the city, 250 MCD wards have been allocated to the 13 NGOs who are carrying out Animal Birth Control or programmes at 20 ABC centres. “Each ABC Centre is staffed with adequate veterinarians and para-veterinary personnel and equipped with dog-catching vans fitted with secure cages for humane capture and transport. Stock registers for medicines, vaccines, and consumables are maintained by each NGO under supervision of MCD’s veterinary department,” the document reads, adding that the civic body is taking efforts to augment infrastructure and manpower by constructing additional kennel blocks at five centres to expand sterilization capacity.

Additionally, a Local Animal Birth Control Monitoring Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the MCD Commissioner. In its meeting held on October 15, the Committee resolved that ISO-approved injectable microchips shall be implanted during sterilization along with mass anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) to ensure traceability, accountability of NGOs, and effective rabies control.

The apex court had in July taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that highlighted serious and fatal attacks by stray dogs in the region.