Panvel Becomes 1st Indian City To Use AI For Stray Dog Survey; 19,307 Dogs Digitally Mapped

The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has completed a digital survey of stray dogs in its jurisdiction, introducing a first-of-its-kind AI-powered database to enhance transparency in vaccination and sterilization programs. This marks India’s first use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to digitally map stray animals within a municipal area.

The survey, conducted with a budget of ₹19 lakh, recorded 19,307 stray dogs and 5,080 stray cats, supporting Panvel’s mission to become a rabies-free city. The AI-based survey was executed by Indicator AI Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

The database includes detailed records such as photographs, gender, age, and health status, enabling authorities to track individual animals. "This innovation helps identify aggressive dogs—especially in bite cases—and implement timely control measures. Previous surveys lacked transparency, hindering effective sterilization and vaccination drives," said a PMC official.

A structured digital system is critical for managing stray populations. "The AI-powered platform will streamline sterilization/vaccination efforts and expedite public complaint resolution. This is a major leap toward a systematic, humane approach to stray animal management," the official added.