Just 8% Of Pet Dogs Registered With Bhopal Municipal Corporation, Over 1,300 Complaints Pending On Mayor Helpline

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Despite persistent appeals from the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), only 8–10% of pet dogs in the city are officially registered—highlighting a growing concern over pet ownership responsibility and rising dog-related complaints.

According to data from BMC’s veterinary department, the city’s 85 municipal wards have an estimated 80 to 100 companion animals each, mostly pet dogs. This brings the total estimated number of pet dogs in Bhopal to between 7,000 and 8,000. However, just 1,052 dogs are currently registered with the civic body.

The registration numbers have remained low over the past two years. In 2023–24, only 395 pet dogs were registered, and 657 in 2024–25. The new round of registrations for 2025–26 began on April 1, with a one-time fee of ?150 for new registration and ?50 for renewal, valid for the full year.

Officials said that the primary reason behind the low registration figures is the lack of awareness among pet owners.

To make matters worse, over 1,300 dog-related complaints—ranging from stray dog nuisance to confusion during sterilisation drives—are currently pending on the Mayor Helpline.

Dr DP Singh, in charge of BMC’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres, said that many unregistered pet dogs are mistakenly picked up during sterilisation campaigns. In several instances, owners abandon their pets or fail to respond, resulting in confusion and unresolved complaints.

Lack of awareness

BMC Veterinary Officer,  Dr SK Shrivastava said “Despite facing several issues, dog owners still do not feel the responsibility to register their pets. There is a serious lack of awareness and cooperation among pet dog owners.”

Additional Commissioner, BMC Ranbir Singh said “The corporation continues to urge residents to register their pets. Proper registration can prevent such situations and significantly reduce the number of pending complaints.”

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