Over 1.03 lakh stray dogs sterilised, 2,500 monkeys sent to sanctuary: MCD

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has successfully sterilised over 1.03 lakh stray dogs in the past 18 months, investing Rs 16.30 crore in this initiative, according to an official from the civic body.

Additionally, the MCD has captured 2,501 monkeys over the last two years, transferring them to the wildlife sanctuary managed by the Delhi government’s forest department.

For the monkey-catching efforts, each private catcher hired by the MCD was compensated Rs 1,800 per monkey. Alongside this, the MCD has also rounded up 24,545 stray cattle in the past two years, relocating them to cow shelters.

The topic of stray animals was highlighted by BJP councillor Yogesh Verma during the recent MCD House meeting in June. Verma requested details on the measures the corporation has implemented to manage the stray animal issue.

An official mentioned that a proposal is currently being considered to commission an agency to conduct a survey to determine the total number of stray dogs in Delhi. Currently, the MCD operates 20 dog sterilisation centres, which are run in collaboration with NGOs and private veterinary doctors under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. Of these centres, 16 are managed by 11 NGOs and four by private veterinary doctors.

The highest number of dog sterilisations occurred in March, with 10,123 procedures completed. In total, 1,03,221 stray dogs were sterilised between October 2022 and March 2024, with expenses totalling Rs 16,30,82,619.

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Between December 2022 and May 2024, the MCD captured 20,501 monkeys, all of which were handed over to the wildlife sanctuary. Notably, no langoor owners were employed to deter monkeys.

The MCD has dedicated 20 vehicles and 122 employees to manage stray animal capture. Of Delhi’s five cow shelters, four are currently operational: Manav Sadan, Rewla Khanpur; Dabat Hare Krishna Gaushala, Surhera; Gopal Gosadan, Harevali; and Shri Krishna Gaushala, Sultanpur Dabas. These shelters received funding for feeding, with Manav Sadan, Rewla Khanpur receiving Rs 1.48 crore, Dabat Hare Krishna Gaushala, Surhera receiving Rs 3.97 crore, Gopal Gosadan, Harevali receiving Rs 5.16 crore, and Shri Krishna Gaushala, Sultanpur Dabas receiving Rs 4.17 crore in the last two years.

As of March, there were 3,509 licensed dairies operating under the MCD’s jurisdiction. The task of removing and disposing of dead buffaloes and cows in MCD areas is managed by the lessee of the Gazipur slaughterhouse at a designated facility. Between April 2023 and March 2024, 15,244 cows were reported dead in cow shelters.