BMC Under Fire Over Stray Dog Sterilisation and Vaccination
In a new development, animal rights activist Roshan Pathak has raised serious concerns regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) handling of stray dog sterilisation and vaccination efforts. Pathak, legal advisor at the PAL Foundation, alleged that the civic body has been negligent in carrying out proper procedures, particularly in relation to sterilising and vaccinating stray dogs.
The complaints follow recent incidents where the BMC’s actions were called into question, including the mysterious deaths of three dogs at Cooper Hospital in Juhu and the alleged mismanagement of relocated animals. Pathak’s concerns centre on several irregularities in the BMC’s operations. He pointed out that the corporation has failed to ensure proper documentation when collecting dogs for sterilisation, leading to confusion among residents about the dogs’ whereabouts. Worse still, he claims the BMC has been relocating the animals without returning them to their original locations, leaving citizens unaware of the situation. Despite this, Pathak alleges that animal cruelty incidents continue to occur, with no preventative measures taken by the municipal corporation.
The activist cited multiple cases of neglect, including the deaths of 26 dogs at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon in July 2024 and the brutal killing of 14 dogs in Kandivali in November 2024. In both instances, Pathak asserts that the BMC failed to take any substantial action to vaccinate the dogs in these areas, leaving the animals vulnerable to disease and further cruelty. Pathak’s letter to the BMC chief urges the corporation to implement a more systematic approach to stray dog care. He calls for the BMC to conduct thorough surveys of areas with high stray dog populations, ensuring compliance with Animal Birth Control guidelines. Furthermore, he has demanded immediate action to commence sterilisation and vaccination efforts, warning that the failure to do so could exacerbate issues related to animal cruelty.
With the BMC facing increasing scrutiny over its handling of stray dog welfare, Pathak’s call for proactive and preventative measures underscores the growing concern among animal rights activists and the public alike. As the situation unfolds, the question remains: will the BMC take immediate action to address the neglect of stray dogs in Mumbai
