Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Launches Tender for Comprehensive Stray Dog Management
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's nuisance and control department has taken a significant step towards addressing the city's stray dog population by issuing a formal tender. This initiative aims to appoint a specialized agency responsible for capturing sick, aggressive, and rabies-infected dogs from various neighborhoods across Ahmedabad.
Scope of Work and Financial Details
The selected agency will undertake multiple critical tasks as part of this comprehensive animal management program. Their primary responsibility involves the systematic capture of stray dogs from public spaces throughout the city. Additionally, the agency will provide specialized services during VVIP movements to ensure public safety and security.
The corporation has established clear financial parameters for this undertaking. For regular stray dog captures, the agency will receive Rs 200 per dog. However, for more challenging cases involving aggressive or sick animals, the compensation increases to Rs 300 per dog. During VVIP movements, the agency will be paid Rs 8,000 per shift specifically for dog capturing operations. The tender process is expected to reach completion within approximately one month.
Treatment Protocols and Shelter Management
The captured animals will receive different treatments based on their condition and behavior. Standard stray dogs will undergo sterilization procedures before being released back to their original locations. In contrast, aggressive or infected dogs will be transferred to dedicated dog shelters for proper care and containment.
The appointed agency will assume full responsibility for the welfare of dogs housed in these shelters. This includes comprehensive care, continuous supervision, and regular feeding of all sheltered animals. The corporation emphasizes humane treatment while addressing public safety concerns.
Supreme Court Directive and Infrastructure Development
This initiative follows a crucial Supreme Court order mandating the removal of stray dogs from public spaces, particularly educational institutions, hospitals, and bus stands. An AMC officer explained that this directive has created an urgent need for expanded shelter infrastructure, as existing facilities can accommodate only 400-500 dogs.
"New dog shelters are currently under construction to address this capacity gap," the officer stated. "Our comprehensive plan includes appointing one helper for every 50 dogs to ensure proper care and management."
Current Stray Dog Presence and Hotspots
According to AMC sources, stray dogs are frequently observed in several key locations throughout Ahmedabad. Government offices, large hospitals, major bus terminals, and educational institutions report significant stray dog populations. Specific areas of concern include the main AMC office in the old city area, which hosts 20-25 stray dogs, and the Gujarat University campus with 40-50 stray animals.
Additional problem areas identified by municipal authorities include Geeta Mandir and Ranip bus depots, along with Kalupur railway station and civil hospital campuses. Following the Supreme Court's directive, aggressive dogs from these locations will receive priority for shelter placement, accelerating the need for new shelter construction.
Infrastructure Expansion and Population Statistics
The AMC has already initiated development of new dog shelters at multiple locations. In Vastral ward, a facility with capacity for 250-300 dogs is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1.30 crore. Similar projects are underway in Lambha ward's Indiranagar and Naroda areas. Additionally, three ponds are being converted into dog shelters with combined capacity exceeding 500 animals, though construction remains ongoing.
An official from the CNC department provided population estimates, suggesting Ahmedabad has over 2,00,000 stray dogs alongside approximately 50,000 pet dogs. A 2019 random survey had previously estimated the stray dog population at 2,10,000, indicating the scale of the challenge.
Existing Facilities and Future Plans
Currently, captured stray dogs undergo sterilization at an Animal Birth Control centre located in Behrampura, while a separate pet dog clinic remains operational. The Vastral dog shelter project is nearing completion, and tenders for two additional shelters are already in process. This multi-faceted approach demonstrates the municipal corporation's commitment to addressing both animal welfare and public safety concerns through systematic, humane solutions.
