Rising population of stray dogs in Palampur a matter of concern

Ravinder Sood 

Palampur  April 20

Palampur,   one of the beautiful towns of Himachal Pradesh, which is visited by thousands of tourists every  year,   is grappling with the problem of stray dogs.  Most of the roads, parks and  streets have become  shelter homes for stray dogs. Schoolgoing children, women and old men  are soft targets of stray dogs. In the late hours, herds of  stray dogs can be seen  in  the Nehru Chowk, Ghuggar and Yamani Hotel areas making it difficult for the common man  to  cross the roads. 

Residents  of the town  are deeply concerned  over  the rising population of dogs in the town and feel that local municipal council and panchayats have failed   to  solve  the problem and keep the city free  from the menace of stray dogs.  Despite orders of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court, the state authorities have failed to respond and residents of the town continue to suffer.  

The HP High Court had  last year  directed the state government to  keep the  state free from stray dogs. The orders of the court  are  yet to be implemented in letter and spirit.  In  Kangra district alone there are 10,000 stray dogs.

KB Rahlan,  member of a local NGO, People’s Voice,  suggests  that   the state government should start a massive campaign for the sterilisation of stray  dogs not only in  Palampur town, but all over Kangra district. Only then the rising population of stray dogs can be checked. Rahlan says shortage of anti-rabies vaccine in state hospitals has made the matter worse, as many times  victims have to move from pillar to post to get the  vaccine.   

  It may be recalled that  in th past one year over 200 persons were bitten by stray dogs in various parts of Kangra district. Only last week one dozen person fell prey to stray dogs in Nagrota town. Most of them were children, who  were admitted to different hospitals for treatment. 

Thakur Balwant Singh, president, Municipal Council, Palampur, says there is complete ban on the killing of stray dogs. The matter is pending in   the apex court, and being  sub-judice, the MC cannot kill stray dogs in present circumstances.