After the news of Delhi recording a very high number of stray dog bites surfaced last week, the Delhi government might soon plan on a census of stray dogs in the capital city. This measure is one amongst many that the panel formed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi standing committee took earlier this month.

The committee held its second meeting on Monday to gather suggestions from the MCD, doctors from government hospitals, NGOs running 20 sterilisation shelters, animal welfare experts, and dog lovers on their upcoming plan for the census. The subcommittee chairperson, Sunar Singh Tanwar, noted that a monitoring team will be formed to inspect one shelter a week and look at sterilisation records.

“We see the shelter has enough rabies injections, look at its sanitation conditions, if an infected dog is kept isolated, and check records of sterilisation,” said Tanwar, adding that RWAs will also be looped in on the prevention measures.

Tanwar also told the national media that dog lovers demand that the Delhi government and civic body-run hospitals should function 24/7 and provide special attention and care to dogs in case of accidents.

Microchip on Dogs

The civic body, in collaboration with various NGOs, is planning to implement a microchip in every dog at sterilisation centres to record details of their sterilisation status and other vitals. This will enable effective monitoring and tracking in the future.

Former BJP MP and founder of People for Animals, Maneka Gandhi, who was also part of the meeting, emphasised the need to upgrade and equip the animal birth control centres run by the corporation, along with improving existing medical facilities and training staff.

Animal welfare expert Gauri Malik, another member at the meeting, said, “The nexus between several ABC centres and MCD officials concerned was formally brought to the attention of the standing committee’s chairperson.”

Satya Sharma, the standing committee chairperson, further noted that MCD is aiming to adopt a holistic approach to strike a balance between animal welfare and public health.

“We are taking strong and effective steps in this direction with the support of all agencies concerned and experts to resolve the issue of stray dogs.”