The Maharashtra government announced on Tuesday, December 9, that it will increase the number of animal birth control (ABC) centres in cities. The goal is to speed up the sterilisation of stray dogs. The government shared data in the legislative assembly showing that 29 municipal corporations have 1,188,281 stray dogs but only 105 ABC centres.

The announcement came during a Calling Attention Motion raised by MLAs Atul Bhatkhalkar, Mahesh Landge, Chetan Tupe, and others. They highlighted the rise in stray dog bites and rabies-related deaths. Bhatkhalkar asked what is being done to expand ABC facilities.

He asked the government to acquire land on a war footing. He also asked if unused government plots could be used for new centres. Some MLAs made sharp remarks during the discussion.

The

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