According to BMC records, more than 50,000 people are bitten by strays every year. But the figure is pegged on the number of admissions to municipal hospitals.

''We do not have records of people who approach private hospitals for treatment of dog-bite. The figure could well touch 1 lakh,'' says Prakash Sawant, chairperson of the civic Law Committee.

He say that the committee has advised the civic administration to move court.

Unkind cut Over the last four years, 2,20,421 people have been treated for dog-bite in civic hospitals At KEM Hospital: In 2000, 61,377 were treated

In 2001, it was 52,107

In 2002, it was 56,208

In 2003, it was 50,729

source: Express News Service

To register your protest login to http://www.petitiononline.com/strays/

Protest against BMC's proposal to kill stray dogs

To: BMC

We were shocked to read various newspaper reports regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) proposal of wanting to kill stray dogs in Mumbai. We feel that this is a non-solution and the BMC should instead provide monetary and infrastructural support to animal welfare NGO's to augment the sterilization programme. We strongly support the sterilization programme as an humane and effective method of controlling the stray dog population and denounce BMC's proposal of killing stray dogs.

Sincerely, The Undersigned