Dog show at Patiala's Polo Ground draws crowds
Event receives canine entries from 10 states
Despite significant rise in dog bite cases in Punjab, there is no stopping for those who love dogs. Hundreds of dog lovers thronged Polo Ground in the city on Sunday to attend the annual dog show.
Dog lovers from over 10 states today took part in the “All-Breed Championship Dog Show” held under the aegis of the Patiala Kennel Club.
Statistics show a disturbing surge in the stray canine population in the district. Data from the Health Department reveals a significant increase in dog bite cases, from 13,000 in 2022 to an estimated 16,000 in 2023. However, apart from the Municipal Corporation area, no other animal birth control programmes are being implemented to control the growing population of strays in the district.
In 2024, Punjab recorded over 2,00,000 dog bite cases, with Ludhiana being the worst affected city. Patiala ranked second, followed by SAS Nagar.
According to a report of the state Health and Family Welfare Department, a total of 2,13,521 dog bite cases were reported in 2024, showing an increase of over 11,000 cases compared to 2023.
In the past few years, the population of stray dogs has grown at an alarming rate. Despite frequent dog bite cases, the civic authorities have not taken note of the problem.
“We have stopped sending our children out of houses as the population of dogs has increased at an alarming pace in the village. Villagers have decided to send two elders as escorts with children going to school,” said Meenu Devi, a resident of Sular village.
Despite the stray menace, avid dog lovers made it a point to reach Raja Bhalindra Singh Stadium (Polo Ground) here to participate in the dog show. However, the attendance of visitors was low this year as compared to the past few years.
“Dogs are my passion. I have read about the stray dog problem. Instead of hating dogs altogether the government needs to act with priority,” said Kavita Abrol, a participant.
Exhibitors from Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir participated in the show.
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Results of the 64 All Breeds Championship Dog Show
n Best breed: Afghan Hound of Parveen Kumar from Bangalore
n 2nd best in show: Boxer of Parveen Kumar from Bangalore
n 3rd best in show: Pomeranian of Olga Khmelevaka from Noida
n Best puppy in show: Doberman of Sudip
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Results of 65th All Breeds Championship Dog Show
n Best in show: Afghan Hound of Parveen Kumar from Bangalore
n 2nd best in show: Rottweiler of Charandeep Singh Gujral from Patiala
n 3rd best in show: Boxer of Parveen Kumar from Bangalore
n Best puppy in show: Doberman of Sudip Kundu from West Bengal
