Confronting the increasing issue of stray dogs in Maharashtra, the state government has initiated a comprehensive intervention. All local bodies in urban and rural areas have been instructed to strictly implement sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination protocols in line with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules of 2023 and Supreme Court directives. Industries Minister Uday Samant announced this initiative during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, addressing concerns raised by MLA Arjun Khotkar and other members like Amin Patel, Sneha Dubey, Namita Mundada, and Sana Malik.
Minister Samant disclosed official data showing that Maharashtra has 14.8 lakh stray dogs, with 94,000 in Mumbai alone. The state has already neutered 65,000 stray dogs this year and administered anti-rabies vaccines to 97,960. The minister emphasized the urgency due to a rise in dog-bite incidents, citing 7,230 cases in Ahilyanagar district between January and February 2026, a significant increase from the previous year.
To address the crisis, the government plans to establish stray dog shelters in Mumbai within six months, with land allocation requests already made. Additionally, major municipal corporations in urban centers like Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik will set up independent Animal Birth Control Departments. Minister Samant also mentioned the BMC’s efforts to clear Dr R N Cooper Hospital premises of stray dogs and ensure regular sterilization and vaccination drives for public safety.
The state has streamlined operational responsibilities through government resolutions and circulars to avoid jurisdictional overlaps. The Department of Animal Husbandry has been designated as the central coordinating authority to ensure synchronized efforts across state and local government bodies. The government aims to present a united front before the Supreme Court by coordinating all operations effectively.
