Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation has proposed Rs 3.3 crore for a year-long stray dog sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination programme, with mandatory microchipping and post-operative care requirements. (Representational image)

The Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) said it had earmarked `3.3 crore for sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs during 2026-27 — Rs 1.218 crore for Alwal and Rs 1.044 crore each for Kapra and Nagole. The programme will be implemented through eligible animal welfare organisations for one year.

Under the animal birth control (ABC) programme, agencies will be responsible for catching stray dogs, transporting them to animal care centres, carrying out sterilisation surgeries, administering anti-rabies vaccines and providing post-operative care before releasing the dogs at their original locations.

An MMC official said microchipping has been made mandatory for sterilised dogs to ensure proper tracking and accountability. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, an official said, "agencies will have to maintain records of dogs caught, sterilised and vaccinated, along with their microchip identification numbers. CCTV cameras must also be installed in operation theatres."

The corporation has capped sterilisation surgeries at 25 per day. The programme will be carried out ward-wise, with agencies required to cover at least 90 per cent of the estimated stray dog population in a ward before moving to the next.

Agencies must also ensure adequate food, water and medical care for dogs during recovery. Dogs can be released only after a veterinary surgeon certifies that their surgical wounds have healed satisfactorily.

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