Bengaluru has set a target to achieve 100% sterilisation coverage of stray dogs within three years, according to state Animal Husbandry Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. As part of the plan, he directed officials to double the city's annual sterilisation capacity from 45,000 to 90,000 surgeries per year.
Doubling sterilisation capacity
The minister issued the directive during a review meeting on stray dog management in Bengaluru. He emphasised the need to scale up operations to control the stray dog population effectively. Currently, the city performs about 45,000 sterilisation procedures annually, which is insufficient to achieve full coverage in a reasonable timeframe.
By increasing the capacity to 90,000 per year, the government aims to sterilise all stray dogs in Bengaluru within three years. Officials were asked to mobilise additional resources, including veterinary staff and surgical facilities, to meet the enhanced target.
Impact on public health and safety
The initiative is expected to reduce the number of stray dogs on the streets, thereby minimising risks of dog bites, rabies transmission, and road accidents involving animals. According to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city has an estimated 2.5 to 3 lakh stray dogs. The sterilisation programme is part of a broader animal birth control (ABC) strategy.
Minister Gowda stressed the importance of a humane approach, ensuring that sterilisation is carried out with proper post-operative care. "We must accelerate the sterilisation drive to make Bengaluru rabies-free and reduce human-animal conflict," he said.
Implementation and monitoring
The Animal Husbandry Department will coordinate with BBMP and animal welfare organisations to implement the plan. Regular monitoring and reporting mechanisms will be established to track progress. The minister also directed officials to ensure that sterilisation camps are set up in all zones of the city.
Animal rights activists have welcomed the move, calling it a long-overdue step. However, they urged the government to focus on the quality of surgeries and aftercare. The success of the initiative will depend on sustained funding, public cooperation, and effective execution.
