While citizens continue to grapple with the looming danger of dog-bites, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme remains in limbo. From January 2026 to June 2026, NMC has recorded 6,346 dog-bite cases in the city, and yet, their ABC programme has continued to remain stalled due to procedural delays. Last year, (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025), the NMC reported 10,944 dog-bite cases. In comparision to this figure, the city has already recorded 6,346 dog-bite cases in half the time this year. Considering half of the total figure (5,472), the city has already seen increase in the cases by 15.9 per cent. This has not seemed to be a wakeup call for the relevant NMC authorities, as five companies have already been finalised to take on the operations for over a month, but are reportedly lacking official approval. 

 

The Hitavada’ had previously highlighted this issue on June 25, 2026. During this time, the veterinary officer concerned had told ‘The Hitavada’ that the final approval was awaited for the finalised companies to begin operations as the Model Code of Conduct had been implemented for the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections held on June 22. It has been well over a month since the Model Code of Conduct has been lifted, but there has been no visible progress. It may be mentioned that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vijay Talewar is pending before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. During earlier hearings, the High Court had rapped the Nagpur Municipal Corporation for its failure to control the dog menace in the city. An expert said that despite continuous directions from the High Court and the rising number of dog-bite cases, NMC officials have failed to take the Animal Birth Control programme seriously. This is putting the lives of common citizens at risk, he said.