The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) plan to conduct a scientific dog census has hit a roadblock, with its Rs 30 lakh tender failing to attract a single bidder. This comes at a critical time, as the Supreme Court is set to hear a key petition on January 13 seeking the removal of stray dogs from sensitive public places such as schools, hospitals and transport hubs.
With no response received by the December 29 deadline, the AMC will now have to re-float the tender to estimate the city’s stray dog population, which is believed to be around 2.10 lakh. Senior civic officials have warned that the issue could soon escalate into a serious public health and civic crisis.
The concern is heightened by alarming data: between January and October 2025, Ahmedabad recorded 66,136 stray dog bite cases, causing widespread anxiety among residents, parents and health authorities.
Pet dog bite incident adds to worries
Adding to the unease, a dog bite incident was reported on January 1 at a housing society near Commerce Six Roads. Residents approached Navrangpura police alleging that a Great Dane pet dog had bitten a domestic maid.
Navrangpura police inspector Kuldeep Gadhvi confirmed the incident, stating that while the dog did bite the maid, no formal complaint was filed by the victim. “We have strictly warned the pet owners to be cautious. If AMC’s CNCD department finds the dogs unsafe for residential living, necessary action will be taken,” he said.
Low pet dog registration despite fee hikes
Ahmedabad has over 50,000 pet dogs, but registration compliance remains poor. As of December 31, only 18,962 pet dogs belonging to 16,674 owners have been registered.
Pet registration began in January 2025 at Rs 200, but due to poor response, the AMC gradually raised the fee to Rs 500, then Rs 1,000, and now Rs 2,000. Despite this, a large number of owners continue to avoid registration.
Shelter capacity far below requirement
The situation has been further complicated by Supreme Court directions that vaccinated stray dogs should not be released back into the same areas. Under norms, dogs must be vaccinated, sterilised and kept under observation for at least four days before relocation. However, AMC officials admit the city lacks the infrastructure to implement this fully.
Currently, Ahmedabad has only five shelter facilities, including two converted cattle ponds, with a combined capacity of about 500 dogs. There is also a separate centre that can house just 100 sick dogs. “Dogs cannot be kept in groups like cattle. They need separate enclosures, or they may attack each other. This makes large-scale housing extremely difficult,” a senior AMC official said.
New shelters planned at Lambha and Vastral
To ease the pressure, the AMC is constructing two new dog shelters at Lambha and Vastral, each with a capacity of 200 dogs. The Lambha shelter is expected to be ready by January 2026, while the Vastral facility may become operational by March 2026.
Until then, with no dog census in place, limited shelter capacity, rising dog bite cases and increasing judicial scrutiny, Ahmedabad continues to struggle with a growing stray dog crisis that shows no immediate signs of relief.