Pune News: PMC Struggles to Find Land for Stray Dog Shelters After SC Order
Pune, 30th December 2025: In compliance with Supreme Court directions to states to manage stray dog populations around sensitive public places, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched an urgent search for land to set up dedicated dog shelters across the city. However, the shortage of suitable space has emerged as a major challenge for the civic body.
The directive, issued on August 11 following incidents of attacks on children, asked states and Union Territories to ensure effective management of stray dogs and warned of strict action in case of non-compliance. Acting on this, the state Directorate of Municipal Administration issued a circular on August 18, instructing all municipal corporations, councils and nagar panchayats to capture stray dogs, vaccinate and sterilise them, and shift them to shelters.
In Pune, the PMC has so far identified three locations for new shelters, while efforts are underway to find another 17 sites. At present, the city has six shelters — three operated by the PMC at Baner, Naidu Hospital and Mundhwa, and three run by NGOs. Officials estimate that at least 20 additional shelters will be required to accommodate the city’s large stray dog population.
As per the new orders, institutions such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, and bus and railway stations have been directed to prevent the entry of stray dogs by installing proper fencing and gates, and to appoint a nodal officer. Municipal bodies have also been asked to prepare ward-wise lists of stray dogs within two weeks.
The revised approach marks a significant departure from the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which mandated that sterilised and vaccinated dogs be released back into their original locations. Under the latest directions, dogs are to be housed in shelters, substantially increasing the logistical and financial burden on civic bodies.
PMC officials estimate that to manage nearly one lakh dogs, at least 20 shelters will be required, with an annual expenditure of around Rs 182 crore on infrastructure, food and manpower.
According to civic data, Pune has an estimated three lakh stray dogs. Between April and October 2025, over 37,000 dogs were sterilised and vaccinated, while more than 27,000 dog bite incidents were reported between January and November. Vaccine availability remains a concern, with only around 4,000 rabies doses currently in stock.
“Surveys have been conducted as per the Supreme Court’s directions. While six shelters are operational, we need at least 20 more. Three sites have been finalised, and work is being carried out on a war footing,” said Dr Sarika Funde, head of the PMC’s veterinary department.
