The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has vaccinated approximately 35,000 to 40,000 stray dogs since September as part of a large-scale initiative. Civic officials aim to vaccinate about one lakh strays over the next few months. “This effort is likely the first where a municipal corporation has initiated a dog vaccination drive on such a large scale,” said Dr Kalimpasha Pathan, head of BMC’s veterinary health department and the Deonar abattoir.

The vaccination drive is part of the deal between the BMC and Mission Rabies and Worldwide Veterinary Services signed in July. The vaccines are provided to BMC for free by multiple NGOs and Boehringer Ingelheim, a pharmaceutical company. The drive is restricted to the western suburbs where dog bite cases are high.