Mysuru: With an estimated 23,400 stray dogs within city limits and an average of three to five dog-bite cases reported daily, the Mysuru City Corporation has intensified its sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination drives to curb the population and enhance public safety.
The current measures are based on a comprehensive stray dog census conducted in April 2025, which provided updated data on the city’s canine population and distribution.
Ongoing sterilisation efforts
Officials said that in the previous financial year, the corporation sterilised 3,198 stray dogs. Since January this year, an additional 1,016 dogs have undergone sterilisation under the ongoing campaign.
MCC executive engineer KS Mruthyunjaya stated that the civic body has scaled up operations in line with legal and public health requirements. “We have stepped up sterilisation and vaccination drives across the city,” he said.
Feeding zones and relocation plans
As per directives of the Supreme Court of India, the MCC has identified two designated feeding zones in every ward to regulate stray dog feeding practices.
Authorities are also working on establishing a dedicated care centre at Rayanakere to relocate stray dogs found in sensitive public institutions such as hospitals, government offices, railway stations, and bus stands.
“A recent survey identified over 400 such dogs. They will be shifted to the new facility once it becomes operational,” Mruthyunjaya added.
Statewide initiatives and funding
The issue of stray dog management was also discussed in the state assembly. Rahim Khan, responding to a query by MLA Suresh Babu CB, said the government has sterilised over 1.2 lakh stray dogs and administered anti-rabies vaccines to more than 1.4 lakh dogs across Karnataka since 2022.
He noted that these measures are being implemented under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Regulations, 2023, which mandate urban local bodies to conduct surveys, sterilise stray dogs, and ensure vaccination against rabies.
Survey findings and infrastructure plans
Statewide surveys conducted in compliance with Supreme Court directions identified 17,262 stray dogs across 17,654 institutions, including hospitals, transport hubs, and public offices.
To address the issue, the government has allocated over Rs 12.1 crore to 13 municipal corporations and more than Rs 21.5 crore to 301 urban local bodies. The funds are being used to establish dog shelters, kennels, and related infrastructure to manage stray populations effectively.
Public health and safety concerns
The rising number of stray dogs and dog-bite cases has become a growing concern for residents. Health experts warn that unvaccinated dogs pose a risk of rabies transmission, making vaccination drives critical.
Authorities emphasise that sterilisation not only helps control population growth but also reduces aggressive behaviour among stray dogs, contributing to safer urban environments.
Conclusion
With a structured approach combining sterilisation, vaccination, and infrastructure development, Mysuru City Corporation aims to address the stray dog issue in a humane and sustainable manner. While challenges remain, coordinated efforts between civic authorities and the state government are expected to gradually reduce both stray populations and associated health risks.