Wed Jul 16 16:25:12 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in Bengaluru is attempting for the third time to implement a microchipping program for stray dogs, facing legal challenges in the process. The project, estimated to cost ₹3.23 crore, aims to implant microchips containing GPS trackers and unique identification numbers (UINs) into 162,817 stray dogs to track them and store their vaccination and location data. While the BBMP asserts the microchips are safe and functional based on a pilot program, animal rights activists argue the project is illegal and a charitable trust has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court challenging its implementation. Previous attempts to award the tender have failed, and the BBMP is now preparing to issue another tender, with only two known contractors currently meeting the eligibility criteria.
**News Article:**
**Bengaluru’s Stray Dog Microchipping Project Faces Legal Challenge Amid Third Tender Attempt**
**BENGALURU, July 16, 2025** – The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is once again trying to implement a controversial microchipping program for stray dogs, despite facing legal challenges and previous failed attempts to award a tender. The ambitious ₹3.23 crore project aims to implant microchips containing GPS trackers and unique identification numbers (UINs) into over 162,000 stray dogs in the city.
The BBMP plans to use the microchips to track the animals, monitor their vaccination status, and store other relevant data. The microchips, measuring around 1-1.5mm, would be implanted just under the skin near the dog’s neck. The agency claims successful pilot programme has been conducted, showing minimal negative effects on the implanted animals.
However, animal rights activists are vehemently opposing the initiative, claiming it violates Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules. A Bengaluru-based charitable trust has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court, challenging the legality of the project. The case is currently under judicial review.
According to Suralkar Vikas Kishor, Special Commissioner (Health and Animal Husbandry), BBMP, this is the third attempt to get the project off the ground. The first tender received no bids, and the second was awarded but ultimately failed due to the contractor’s inability to meet the required software service specifications.
The BBMP is preparing to float another tender, with only two known contractors in India currently meeting the eligibility criteria. This latest attempt to microchip Bengaluru’s stray dogs is likely to be fraught with continued legal and logistical challenges.
First Piper 