The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has planned to catch and rehabilitate stray dogs in 457 identified institutions. These identified institutions mainly include stadiums, hospitals, schools and colleges as stray dogs tend to roam around in these areas in search of food.

BMC’s first comprehensive stray dog census, which estimated that Bhubaneswar is home to approximately 47,000 stray dogs. According to civic data reported by The Hans India, the survey covered all 67 wards of the city and documented sterilisation status, gender distribution and vaccination gaps.

The census was conducted to create a structured Animal Birth Control (ABC) and anti-rabies vaccination strategy. Officials stated that the findings would help reduce dog bite incidents, manage population growth and improve disease prevention efforts.

“We identified altogether 457 institutions that included private and government offices as well" - BMC’s ABC Programme In-Charge, Dr Debi Prasad Kund.

BMC also advised to build boundary walls around these institutions of help prevent stray dogs from entering these places.

30 stray dogs have already been caught and sterilized from Kalinga Stadium as part of the programme. With the help of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), BMC will start anti-rabies vaccination from the first week of march.

Complaint to supreme court directions, BMC has formally written to the Khurda district administration seeking land allocation for permanent dog shelters. Reports indicate that the civic body is planning to develop shelters of varying capacities to accommodate dogs removed from institutional areas. Temporary holding facilities are expected to be used until permanent infrastructure is developed.