Canine count in September in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set to carry out a massive census exercise for dogs this year. The civic body is most likely to flag the programme in September.

Civic officials say that the census will be an exercise to monitor animal birth control programme.

“The scientific census of the dogs monitor goes beyond the mere headcount. It analyses the presence of total number of dogs in respect of every single area. This would help us map the policy needed for dogs,” said Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner. The civic body has appointed a national expert on dog control for the programme. “ The modus operandi of the exercise will be discussed and finalised by the end of this month,” said another senior civic official.

The census will also keep a tab on how many dogs have been licensed. Officials claim that only 40% of the pets are licensed. “Registration ensures that the dog has been regularly vaccinated and free of risk of transmitting rabies,” said Dr Anil Bandiwadekar, executive health officer.

Earlier in 2007, the BMC had carried out three month long census with the help of state’s animal husbandry department. “Census of the dogs earlier was more of an internal affair. This exercise shall also help us formulate the role and involvement of NGOs in dog birth control programme in every area. It will help us eliminate mismatch of NGO with canine population,” Mhaiskar said.