Mumbai: NCP (SP) corporator Ajit Raorane, through a notice of motion, sought an increase in the number of animal birth control (ABC) centres in the city. Citing the large stray dog population in Mumbai, Raorane said the number of ABC centres was insufficient to accelerate the sterilisation process, so the BMC should establish at least 1 such centre in each ward of the city. The notice of motion will be tabled on Tuesday.The corporator said that the stray dog population in Mumbai was increasing day by day, causing distress to citizens due to attacks on young children and elderly persons, besides the incessant barking late at night. Raorane said, as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control Rules, sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination remained the only effective means to control the dog population, prevent rabies, and mitigate human-animal conflict. Currently, the BMC operated through NGOs, a total of 8 ABC centres for dogs and 7 centres for cats across the civic jurisdiction. These centres undertook sterilisation to keep the stray dog population under control and played a pivotal role in curbing the spread of rabies and minimising human-animal conflict. Raorane said all ABCs should be equipped with closed-circuit monitoring systems (CCTV cameras). Digital statistics regarding the sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination of dogs should be made publicly accessible, Raorane demanded. — Sanjeev Devasia
