The Street Dogs of Mumbai

Tens of thousands of homeless dogs live on the streets in Mumbai, India. Their lives were once in danger because of starvation, disease and out-of-control breeding. Today their situation has dramatically improved with the help of mandated sterilization laws and the work of a determined animal activist group. However, just when life was beginning to look brighter for these canines a new danger to their existence has emerged in the form of human prejudice. Here is their story.

The large building in Deonar, a suburb of Mumbai was built in 2000 as a “killing center” for the homeless dogs that live on the streets. Local government officials (BMC) had gone to the Bombay High Court to obtain an order that allowed the mass killing of these stray dogs. In preparation for an easy win in court, the BMC built the new facility ahead of time.

But in a surprise twist of fate, the High Court turned down the city’s plan and instead gave the center to an animal rights organization called IDA India with the directive to begin a comprehensive spay and neuter program.

Sudnya Patkar and Gauri Keskar, who started the group, were thrilled with the news. They acquired new veterinarians and volunteers and moved into the building. Their grassroots organization, which had been using a borrowed garage for treating and sterilizing homeless dogs, grew from helping 20 a month in 2000 to currently spaying and neutering 800 canines each month.

As the organization grew, they became sensitive to the neglected conditions of other animals so they added a second clinic, 2 mobile veterinary units and 3 ambulances for large animals. They extended their services to homeless cats and working animals such as horses and donkeys.

IDA India is proud of their accomplishments and their visibility in Mumbai. But their success is creating an unforeseen problem and danger for the street dogs.

The problem is where to keep the dogs after they are “fixed.”

In the past when there were too many street dogs, they were shot or poisoned. Now the dogs are protected by the Animal Birth Control program (ABC) which is similar to a Trap Neuter and Release effort. Street dogs are released back into neighborhoods after they receive vaccinations and are sterilized. A human guardian provides them with food, water and additional veterinary care as needed.

On paper, the ABC program appears to be a reasonable solution for the large number of homeless dogs in the city. There is no sanctuary big enough to house them and they are accustomed to living on the streets. But some residents think of the dogs as a threat and are trying to get rid of them.

A story in a local newspaper summarizes, “Frustrated residents have been bulldozed into accepting a dog-loving contention of live and let live, even as the locals fear that canines may attack them.”

The story talks about a volunteer who feeds the dogs, “She comes with two plastic bags full of chicken bones for the dogs. Walking on our road has become risky as dogs have started pouncing and following us if they spot us carrying plastic or other bags of food items.”

The President of IDA India, Fizzah Shah fought back with this open letter to the newspaper.

She said, …“All living beings need food and water for survival and since Mumbai High Court has given the judgment to sterilize the stray dogs and allow them to live on the street it’s but obvious they need the means of survival that is at least food once in a day. It is inhumane to starve the animals which can result in aggressiveness, sickness and unnecessary painful death. These dogs which are fed by Suman are old dogs absolutely tame and human friendly. She is feeding them since many years and has not witness a single case of violence or aggressiveness of dogs. Also, she is not littering on the road so why should the BMC take any objection? If a handful of animal haters want to stop the work of humanity and compassion for the mute animals, it cannot be justified.”

However even with this new controversy, IDA India plans to grow their successful spay/neuter program in other communities. In fact there is a waiting list of small towns that want them to organize clinics in their area.

It takes time and patience to change the way an entire culture thinks about defenseless animals and the dedicated volunteers of IDA India are ready for the challenge.

IDA India website

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Ski M.

3:54AM PDT on Jul 30, 2009

OK there shouldn't be street dogs but compared with shooting or poisoning this is a humane step forward, animals don't miss reproduction, I've always kept bitches and queens and never allowed pups or kittens to arrive in the world as I can't care for so many. CPL in UK catch, neuter and release cats in the UK it keeps the numbers down to a sustainable level and it ensures the health of the cats. To ensure these dogs have a human carer is a brilliant idea.

I don't believe it is in conflict with child poverty action as an uncontrolled dog population can lead to high levels of rabies, and attacks on children. The right solution for the right species!

send a green star

cj s.

2:30PM PDT on Jul 17, 2009

Danick & Therese,
Maybe you shouldn't be posting on this topic if you feel that way.
Of course its horrible children are starving too, but no one need to hear how pathetic others are for caring about these poor animals.
Why are people still having kids there when they can't afford to feed them???????????

Therese D.

3:44AM PDT on Jul 16, 2009

Danick, thank heavens there is some else out there who feels the same way about the homeless, hungry children of Mumbai. Since I posted my comment o the 9th July I was getting worried that no one else felt the same way. It is wonderful to see someone volunteering and believing in a cause and it is wrong for animals to be neglected but we must look to defending and protecting the world’s children in need first. My husband and his 3000 colleagues in Concern Worldwide, work every day to help the poorest of the poor so I do understand the situation.

Danick H.

4:55PM PDT on Jul 14, 2009

What about all the PEOPLE living in the streets of Mumbaï????...Thousands of them are right now living in huge slumbs & NOBODY seems to care about them.
This topic is pretty pathetic, considering the reality over there, don't you think?

Danielle B.

11:22AM PDT on Jul 14, 2009

The steralization program is great. A step towards the right direction. But the dogs should not be released back into the streets. The dogs need loving homes with people who love them and care about them.

Sandi F.

11:48AM PDT on Jul 13, 2009

Spaying or neutering the dogs is a start in the right direction to lower the population, but they should have good homes with loving humans. Dogs do make good guards for these families, as everyone should know, dogs run in families (packs) as we do.

Pattie B.

7:45AM PDT on Jul 13, 2009

The sterlization program is a step in the right direction! No it doesn't solve every problem but like I said it's a start. Kudos to all my Indian brothers and sisters helping out in this cause. You're doing a great job and keep it up.

Carol H.

7:06AM PDT on Jul 13, 2009

These dogs need to find homes living the street is dangerous all the way around. They need to build shelters like we have in the States.
Do they have places where people can come and adopt the animals like we have in the States?
The thing that is so sad over all they didn't ask to be born as all innocent animals but yet they are treated as though they are garbage and that is just no fair.

MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF THESE INNOCENT DOGS NOW AND FOR ALL TIME AS I AM SURE HE WILL!!!

6:28AM PDT on Jul 13, 2009

I prefaced my last comment by saying I love animals and hate to see them neglected, however I did forget to say I admire people who pursue a cause with conviction, fundraising and real hands on action. Thank heavens that we live in world where we are allowed to choose and pursue our cause whether it is animal welfare or human rights/welfare. In most parts of the world people do not have that choice for their families and simply living is the real issue without considering stray animals in the neighbourhood. When I asked the question about providing similar food, shelter & love for the abandoned children of Mumbai, I did not expect some of the reactions. “we should also be spaying & neutering these unwanted kids”, Would you tolerate it in your town? would you volunteer to feed stray kids and clear up the dirty diapers in your neighbourhood?" was particularly insensitive. “Courts in India are a role model for the rest of the world” but why won’t the pursue the acid burning men who “honour kill” women in India? “Dogs have so much to offer if given the chance” what could the children offer if given the chance? “$10 a day could spay and vaccinate” $10 could buy so much in the developing world. I do appreciative people who volunteer their time, energy and funds for their cause and pro-active authorities, I just believe we should focus on the immediate and solvable human problems first as a priority and then solve the pr

Lori C.

3:01AM PDT on Jul 13, 2009

Wendy A.,,,,,NO JOKE!!! Food,medicine and water for these dogs will help,you are right about that,But Prayer may help to bring Food,Medicine and water to them!! I don't know you,don't care to know you,but just because you don't agree with my request for prayer does not give the right to tell me that prayer won't help!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!