Of the estimated 2.5 lakh stray dogs in the city, the BMC plans to vaccinate about 1.75 lakh under its Mission Rabies Free Mumbai. In the first eight months of this year, the city reported 50,622 dog bite cases. The vaccination campaign started on  Tuesday, on the eve of September 28,  which is observed as World Rabies Day.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately spreading the disease to the brain and causes death.