Decline in Sterilized Street Dogs Population in Mumbai from 2014 to 2024
A recent study by HSI/India and BMC reveals a decrease in the population of sterilized street dogs in Mumbai over the past decade. The study emphasizes the need for increased sterilization efforts to control the street dog population.
A study conducted by HSI/India and BMC indicates a decline in the density of free-roaming street dogs in Mumbai between 2014 and 2024. While the number of street dogs has decreased, the population of sterilized dogs has also seen a dip, raising concerns about effective population control measures.
The study suggests that BMC will need to sterilize 14,000 dogs per year to manage the street dog population effectively. In 2014, the survey identified approximately 10.54 dogs per kilometer in areas under BMC's jurisdiction, with a total population of 95,172 stray dogs.
After a decade, the survey focused on a 930 km area and found a stray density of 8.01 per kilometer, totaling to a population of 90,757. Despite a decrease in the street dog population, the percentage of sterilized dogs has also dropped. In 2014, the sterilization rate was 74.8%, which decreased to 62.9% in 2024, leaving an estimated 33,671 unsterilized dogs in Mumbai.
The report warns that even a single year of low sterilization rates could result in loss of population control. It recommends higher yearly sterilization numbers to ensure program efficacy without losing control. Roping in dog feeders for sterilization efforts and prioritizing the sterilization of female dogs are also suggested.