The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched its pioneering stray dog census today, September 17, 2025, aiming to assess the population and vaccination status of street dogs in the city. BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana outlined the initiative's details.
Key Aspects
- Counting Schedule: 5 am - 7 am daily, when dogs are most visible post-nighttime return to habitual areas.
- Teams: 410 teams covering 67 wards; 5 members per team including sanitation staff, veterinary experts, ward officers.
- Phases: Two-phase survey; first phase (Sept 17-20), second phase (Sept 22-25) for cross-validation.
- Budget: Rs 5 lakh allocated for the census.
- Methodology: Manual count considering dogs in schools, markets, under vehicles; no AI technology used due to adequate human resources.
Objectives
- Population Data: Determine stray dog numbers for effective management.
- Vaccination Status: Assess immunization coverage to curb diseases like rabies.
- Welfare & Safety: Improve stray dog health and mitigate human-dog conflict risks.
Implementation
- Supervision: Skilled veterinary doctors overseeing teams comprising sanitation assistants, supervisors, inspectors, SMTAs, DEOs, COs.
The census reflects BMC's efforts toward structured urban animal management.