The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced an ambitious plan to conduct a comprehensive census of both stray and pet dogs in the capital city to address the growing menace of stray dogs.
The initiative, spearheaded by BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, aims to tag dogs’ ears with identification chips to track their movements, ownership, and health status, including vaccination and sterilisation records.
This move comes in response to rising incidents of dog attacks and the associated risk of rabies, with the city reporting over 80,000 stray dogs and more than 150,000 dog bite cases in the past six months.
The census will involve sanitary workers and a private agency to count dogs across Bhubaneswar’s 67 wards, with special focus on hospitals and schools. Each dog will be tagged with a chip containing details such as the owner’s identity for pet dogs, the location of stray dogs, and whether they have been vaccinated or sterilised. “This initiative will ensure a cleaner, safer city while protecting our canine population,” said Mayor Das.
The BMC also aims to curb the stray dog population through its resumed Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, targeting 2,000 sterilisations monthly by a Hyderabad-based organisation, Vets Society for Animal Welfare and Rural Development.
The urgency of the program stems from alarming incidents of stray dog attacks. In February 2025, fatalities were reported due to stray dog and cattle attacks, prompting public outcry over BMC’s negligence. In November 2024, a woman succumbed to injuries from a stray dog attack, further highlighting the crisis. With monthly dog bite cases ranging from 20,000 to 30,000, vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and women are most affected. The BMC’s data also reveals that 57% of the city’s estimated 70,000 stray dogs remain unvaccinated against rabies, posing a significant public health risk.
The BMC’s strategy includes not only sterilisation and vaccination but also a robust registration system for pet dogs. Under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (Registration and Proper Control of Dogs) Bye-Laws 2023, pet owners must register their dogs, provide vaccination and sterilisation certificates, and ensure their pets wear identification tags. Violators face fines up to ₹10,000 for non-compliance, such as allowing pets to defecate in public spaces or failing to control aggressive behaviour.
Mayor Das emphasised that the initiative aligns with the state government’s goal to make Odisha rabies-free by 2030. By combining the census with intensified sterilisation and vaccination drives, the BMC aims to control the stray dog population and reduce dog bite incidents, ensuring safer streets for residents.
The public has been urged to cooperate with the census and adhere to pet registration norms to create a harmonious and secure urban environment.
