The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced that it captured over 100 aggressive stray dogs from various parts of the city during 2025-26 and housed them in shelters. This action comes amid ongoing concerns and debates about stray dogs following a recent directive from the Supreme Court of India.
Rabies Testing Results
Of the captured dogs, 29 were tested for rabies using rapid test kits, and all results came back negative. A senior AMC official stated that after the Supreme Court's order last year, the corporation's cattle nuisance control department (CNCD) has been receiving an increasing number of complaints about dog bites.
The official explained, "A dog that has repeatedly bitten people is brought to the shelter for behavioral study and, if necessary, tested for rabies. In the past year, 29 stray dogs were tested for rabies, with none testing positive. There were no rabies-related deaths in Ahmedabad in the past five years."
Supreme Court's Remarks
The Supreme Court, while upholding its previous year's directives on removing strays from public places, remarked two days ago, "Right to life with dignity encompasses right to live freely without threat of harm from dogs." This statement has reinforced the need for effective management of stray dog populations.
Classification and Management of Aggressive Dogs
The municipal corporation labels a dog as aggressive after several checks, including interactions with the victim and other people in the area, proof of dog bite injury, and administration of anti-rabies vaccine after an alleged bite. Captured dogs are kept in a shelter for a fortnight, during which their behavior is observed. If deemed non-aggressive, they are released back into their original area. Currently, 84 aggressive dogs are housed in two shelters managed by the AMC.
Dog Bite Statistics
According to AMC data, 8,354 dog bite cases were reported in the first three months of 2026. The city recorded 51,244 dog bites in 2020, 50,668 in 2021, 58,125 in 2022, 67,790 in 2023, 60,663 in 2024, and 77,019 in 2025. These figures indicate a fluctuating but generally rising trend in dog bite incidents.
Population Control Efforts
The AMC is actively working to control the stray dog population through the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program. Over the past seven years, the corporation has spent Rs 18.8 crore on sterilizing 1,96,000 stray dogs, achieving more than 80% sterilization. A dog census has been initiated under the 'Zero by 30' initiative, which aims to make Ahmedabad rabies-free by 2030. A 2019 survey recorded 210,000 stray dogs in the city.
Additionally, microchips are being implanted in sterilized dogs to facilitate easier annual revaccination. Currently, 5,071 dogs have been chipped, marking significant progress in the management and monitoring of the stray dog population.
