Civic body draft bylaws ‘fall short of addressing stray dog menace in UT’

When retired bank officer Rakesh Sharma stepped out for his morning walk in a park in Sector 9 past week, little did he know that his routine would end in chaos. A pack of stray dogs chased him, leaving him with a lingering fear of stepping out alone.

“I’ve been walking in this park for years, but the stray dog population has exploded recently. It’s not just about safety anymore, it’s about the trauma of being attacked,” says Sharma, who now carries a stick during his walks for self-defence.

Sharma’s story is not an isolated incident. Across Chandigarh, residents are grappling with the growing fear of stray dogs, a problem that the recently drafted “The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Pet and Community Dogs Bye-laws, 2023,” fails to address effectively. While the bylaws introduce measures like leash regulations, breed restrictions and hygiene mandates for pet dogs, these fall woefully short in tackling the core issue of stray dog management.

Stray dog problem — a growing threat

Stray dogs continue to roam freely in green belts, parks and residential areas, causing safety concerns for residents and visitors alike. The bylaws, which focus primarily on pet ownership, overlook the larger issue of unchecked stray dog population. Without a clear plan for their management, these dogs remain a persistent threat, leading to frequent conflicts and accidents in sectors.

In Sector 45, residents complain of strays chasing children cycling or playing in parks. “Every evening, we hear stories of someone being chased. The fear is real, especially for our children and the elderly,” says Meena Kapoor, a resident.

Sterilisation and dog pounds

The heart of the stray dog problem lies in unchecked breeding. The bylaws fail to address this critical issue, lacking provisions for large-scale sterilisation programmes or the establishment of dog pounds. Sterilisation, if implemented systematically, could gradually reduce the stray population, minimising conflicts and ensuring a more humane solution.

“The community dogs have as much right on this earth as any other living being, including humans. But more than anything else, controlling their population is necessary for their own wellbeing. Many are killed by speeding cars, while others suffer from scabies or malnutrition. A structured approach to their care and management is essential, not just for residents but for the dogs themselves,” says Varun Kumar, a college student.

However, the draft does not mandate the authorities concerned to collaborate with the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to organise sterilisation camps or outline clear measures to promote such efforts. “Sterilisation is the only sustainable solution. Without it, the population will keep growing, and so will the problems,” says Anil Chauhan, a city resident who is employed with a Mohali-based factory.

He said the authorities introduced bylaws back in 2010. Had the focus been on a sustained sterilisation programme, the community dog population would have drastically reduced by now. “Instead of reactive measures, a long-term solution through sterilisation and vaccination was needed to ensure both public safety and the wellbeing of these animals,” he said.

Residents also express apprehensions about sterilisation programmes. Many fear that dogs taken for operations may go “missing”. “The bylaws do not address these concerns or provide mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in sterilisation drives,” says IT professional and pet parent Shruti Singh.

Another resident still remember how dogs sent for operation never returned. For Rajat Singh of Sector 18, the wait for Tommy is still on despite lapse of almost a decade. “I know he cannot be alive after all these years. But somehow I cannot reconcile with the fact,” he says.

Hefty fees and abandonment risks

The Rs 500 registration fee per dog, intended to regulate pet ownership, may also have unintended consequences. For low-income households, this fee could discourage pet ownership, leading to more dogs being abandoned and adding to the stray population. “Instead of solving the problem, such fees might make it worse,” says animal rights activist Shehzada Singh.

Impractical feeding zones, unhygienic burials

The requirement to feed community dogs only in designated zones is also being criticised as impractical. Residents insist dogs are territorial animals and unlikely to move to designated areas for food. “Expecting dogs to leave their territory and walk to a feeding site is unrealistic. This could lead to hungry, aggressive dogs and increased conflicts,” says Shehzada Singh.

Additionally, the draft mandates the burial of dead dogs with lime and salt but does not provide designated cremation grounds. Currently, dogs are buried in unhygienic areas like Sector 25, which residents find disrespectful and unsanitary.

Enforcement challenges

A law is only as good as its enforcement. The success of the bylaws hinges on robust monitoring and compliance mechanisms, which are currently lacking. While the draft imposes hefty fines for violations, it remains unclear how these will be detected and penalised consistently.

Call for sustainable solutions

Residents, including dog lovers, believe the bylaws need to focus more on sustainable solutions like sterilisation, the creation of dog pounds, and community-driven initiatives for stray dog care. “We need a humane, long-term approach that balances safety with compassion,” says Rakesh Sharma, a retired bank officer, who resides in Sector 9. As Chandigarh grapples with the stray dog problem, the new bylaws represent a missed opportunity to address the issue holistically. Without effective measures, the city’s streets will remain unsafe for both humans and animals, people feel.