Hope has arrived for the city’s stray dogs, many of which were under the threat of elimination. The municipal authorities have found work for them, setting up a dog squad comprising entirely strays.

The move follows two unconnected events. The 26/11 attack had highlighted the necessity of a dog squad for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) while a High Court ruling had authorised the killing of strays causing a nuisance.

Mongrels picked from the streets will now guard water supply projects and hospitals. The civic administration has asked for 20 dogs to guard such vital installations. The BMC will also pick guards who will be trained as dog handlers.

The move follows a suggestion by Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCAs). The BMC discussed the idea at a monitoring committee meeting and municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak approved it.

“A number of projects and hospitals are at high risk and need additional security. To start off we will want around 20 dogs and trainers who can be deputed according to security needs,” said Dr G T Ambe, joint executive health officer.

Dog squads trained for security usually include pure breeds such as German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Labradors, bloodhounds and Belgian Malinois. The BSPCA believes that healthy and young strays, as well as cross-breeds, can be equally useful if trained properly.

A final recommendation from the BSPCA will have details on training and cost estimates. Its secretary, Col Dr J C Khanna, said around 10 pariah dogs will be trained as a pilot project.

“We have already selected some dogs, all between six months and a year of age and healthy for the training,” he said. The training will have three stages - sack biting, sleeve biting and suit biting. It is expected make the dogs strong and aggressive so that they would attack suspicious elements and pre-empt trouble.