India, May 21 -- The civic administration's moves to set up shelters for Mumbai's stray dogs has been met with little or no enthusiasm. Animal welfare groups say some of the BMC's conditions, especially the one expecting non-profits to bear the expenses of running these shelters, is a major deterrent. Also, the very act of relocating strays is unhealthy for the animals, they say.

The BMC has been trying to implement directives issued by the Supreme Court in November last year, when the court ordered civic bodies to seize stray dogs in public places such as educational institutions, hospitals, stadiums and railway stations, sterilise them and relocate them to permanent shelters.

The directive was given due to the alarming rise in dog bit...