Mumbai body wants to kill stray dogs

Stray dogs on the streets of Mumbai may soon be a rare sight, with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai mulling a proposal to eliminate them instead of sterilising and rehabilitating them.

Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak on Friday said the body is considering approaching the Supreme Court to seek permission to put down the animals instead of the current policy of sterilising them, which is in line with orders from the Bombay high court.

"In our affidavit in the Bombay high court, we suggested the killing of the dogs instead of sterilisation. I have informed this to the standing committee of the corporation, which is in agreement with me and we are contemplating approaching the Supreme Court in this matter," Phatak said.

Following a public outcry in Bangalore after children were attacked by dogs, the municipality there had eliminated over 500 stray dogs earlier this year.

Phatak clarified that guidelines laid down by the high court were being followed and the MCGM would collaborate with NGOs to carry out the process of rehabilitating dogs after their sterilisation.

"In most modern cities there is no such presence of stray animals and they are usually done away with. If Mumbai is to become a city like Singapore or Shanghai, then such steps need to be taken," Phatak said.

The MCGM has permission to put down dogs that are either severely injured or dangerous, he said.