Bhubaneswar Launches Citywide Dog Census to Tackle Stray Population

Bhubaneswar, September 14, 2025 — In a proactive move to address the growing stray dog population, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to conduct a comprehensive dog census across all 67 city wards from September 17 to 24.

The initiative, involving over 420 trained teams including Swachh Sathis, sanitation workers, and BMC officials, will be executed in two phases. The census will take place during early morning hours (5–7 AM) to ensure accurate visibility of stray dogs.

Currently, Bhubaneswar is estimated to have around 85,000 stray dogs. The data collected will be pivotal in planning Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs, vaccination drives, and implementing effective stray dog management strategies.

“This census is a crucial step toward ensuring public safety and humane animal control,” said a BMC spokesperson. “It will help us design targeted interventions and respond to citizen concerns more effectively.”

The dog census marks a significant stride in urban animal welfare and reflects Bhubaneswar’s commitment to responsible civic planning.