Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: In a pioneering move, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has successfully completed Odisha’s first-ever comprehensive stray dog census.

Conducted between September 18 and 25 in two phases, the survey covered all 67 wards of the city and recorded a total of 47,126 stray dogs.

The census was carried out early in the morning between 5 AM and 7 AM across every street and alley in the BMC area. Under the supervision of senior veterinary officers, 410 teams were formed, each comprising two enumerators. These teams included Swachha Sathis, sanitary inspectors, community organizers, and other municipal staff, all trained at the zonal level before deployment.

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According to the data, the stray dog population includes 23,047 male dogs, 15,552 female dogs, and 1,124 puppies. Among them, 4,068 male and 3,335 female dogs have already been sterilized.

With Bhubaneswar’s current population estimated at 13 lakh, the stray dog density stands at 3.62%, or roughly 703 dogs per ward.

The census also identified the top 10 wards with the highest stray dog populations, including Ward Nos. 23, 7, 49, 65, 4, 9, 5, 56, 43, and 6. Ward No. 23 recorded the highest count with 1,703 dogs, while Ward No. 6 had 1,062.

Compared to the national average of 11 stray dogs per 1,000 people, Bhubaneswar’s ratio is significantly higher at 36 per 1,000. The state average stands at 39 per 1,000, indicating a pressing need for targeted intervention.

The census was conducted using scientific and professional methods, marking a departure from earlier sample-based estimations used in other states. The initiative aims to reduce human-dog conflict, improve canine welfare, and implement effective sterilization and rabies control programs.

Key objectives of the census include:

- Reducing dog-human conflicts and bite incidents.

- Enhancing health and welfare of stray dogs.

- Designing efficient sterilization programs.

- Preventing rabies and other zoonotic diseases.

- Minimizing traffic disruptions and accidents caused by stray dogs.

- Understanding dog density across urban zones.

BMC has expressed gratitude to residents for their voluntary cooperation, especially in reporting dog counts from homes, apartments, markets, hospitals, and public institutions. Officials believe this data will help shape future policies for animal welfare and urban safety.