Dogs Picked Up From Schools, Hospitals And Parks To Be Shifted To Shelters; 3 Agencies To Handle Programme As Bite Cases Continue To Rise
Panchkula MC To Shift Dogs From Schools, Hospitals And Parks To Shelters
Panchkula: Facing mounting public concern over stray dogs and a steady rise in dog-bite cases, the municipal corporation (MC) Panchkula is set to tighten its stray dog management regime, with canines picked up from schools, hospitals, religious places, sports complexes, parks and other sensitive locations to be shifted to designated shelters in line with Supreme Court directions.The move forms part of a fresh tender floated by the civic body, which also incorporates provisions for handling ‘aggressive’, rabid, terminally ill and severely injured dogs under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.The revised framework comes against the backdrop of rising dog-bite incidents in the district. Official data shows that 7,026 dog-bite cases were reported in Panchkula between Jan and May this year, after the district recorded a three-year high of 14,230 cases in 2025.Municipal commissioner Vinay Kumar said the corporation would, for the first time, engage three agencies instead of one to implement the programme across different parts of the city.“The current agency’s contract is over, but it has been asked to continue till fresh arrangements are made. Three agencies will operate in different zones to improve accountability, efficiency and outcomes,” Kumar told TOI.The earlier contracts primarily focused on catching and sterilising stray dogs. However, after recent Supreme Court directions, the MC has included provisions relating to sheltering dogs from sensitive public places. In May, the apex court allowed euthanasia of rabid, incurably ill or ‘demonstrably dangerous’ stray dogs, while earlier directing that sterilised and vaccinated dogs be shifted to designated shelters. The MC’s tender, however, does not specifically state whether the euthanasia provision will be adopted.The revamped programme also seeks to strengthen monitoring and accountability. Dog-catching vehicles will be fitted with GPS trackers, while agencies will be required to maintain detailed records of every dog captured, treated, sterilised and vaccinated. Monthly action plans covering sectors, colonies and villages will also be prepared.To improve response to public complaints, the MC has fixed a six-hour deadline for addressing stray dog-related complaints. Agencies may face a penalty of Rs 1,000 per complaintfor failing to respond within the stipulated period.The civic body’s latest push comes as residents continue to flag concerns over stray dog attacks and growing encounters in residential areas, despite years of sterilisation drives.
