Guwahati’s animal management system, once hailed as a progressive step for the humane treatment of strays and livestock, is now facing severe criticism over allegations of corruption, negligence, and systemic failures.
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The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has claimed a commitment to addressing the city’s stray animal issues, but residents and activists are raising concerns over the effectiveness of its efforts. Complaints have emerged from multiple sources, highlighting gaps in implementation and calling for better coordination and transparency.
In 2022, GMC launched a mobile app to manage street dog complaints and promoted its initiatives, including sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination programmes. However, reports suggest a starkly different reality. Animal activists and residents have accused the responsible NGO, Just Be Friendly (JBF), of poor execution, citing botched surgeries, insufficient post-operative care, and even mysterious deaths of sterilised dogs.
JBF was entrusted with sterilisation and vaccination drives, with Rs. 1,500 allocated per dog. Complaints have surfaced regarding incidents of botched surgeries, and an example came to light in June 2023, when 16 dogs were sterilised by JBF from Assam Engineering College hostels. One dog died during surgery, and two others were unfit for the procedure.
Residents like Amiya Medhi have also raised concerns over the hygiene standards at JBF’s facility.
Talking to GPlus, Medhi alleged that five of his dogs died after contracting infections during sterilisation on May 27. "The conditions at their operation centre are alarming," he said, adding that he had lodged a formal complaint with GMC, which remains unaddressed.
Hamal Talukdar, a local activist, highlighted the need for CCTV monitoring in operating rooms and the employment of experienced veterinarians to prevent such incidents. Further complaints, including one from September 2023, revealed sterilised dogs returned in poor health, with a confirmed case of canine distemper. Locals in Dhirenpara, Ganeshpara, and Fatasil Ambari reported delays in returning dogs, which caused unrest. Some residents even raised funds for additional sterilisation procedures.
Another issue surfaced in Panbazar, where Mahuya Sengupta, a stray dog caregiver, accused JBF of releasing the wrong dogs in her area after sterilisation. She also reported the disappearance of a neutered dog she cared for named Tintin, raising questions about JBF’s ability to identify sterilised animals.
Further allegations include poor hygiene standards at JBF’s facility, with some residents claiming that several dogs died from infections contracted during surgery. Despite these concerns, GMC has defended JBF, stating that a magistrate-level inquiry found no evidence of wrongdoing. However, the mounting complaints have left both animal caretakers and animals in a state of uncertainty.
A senior GMC official, when approached for comment, dismissed the allegations, stating that while complaints exist, only a few are genuinely contributing to the solution. He reiterated that JBF continues its operations as per the agreement, with no evidence of malpractice found. Residents are encouraged to report grievances via GMC's official complaint number, +91-8811007000.