Gurugram MC begins work to set up new dog shelters

Following the Supreme Court’s order that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR must be relocated to shelter homes, the Gurugram Municipal Corporation’s long-pending plan to set up dog shelters in the city has finally been set in motion. Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya convened a special meeting to plan the way forward.

The city, which has over 50,000 dogs, currently has only two shelters with a combined capacity of about 100 animals. In June 2023, the MCG had informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that there were over 17,000 stray dogs in Gurugram, with 1,670 dog-bite cases reported over the preceding three years.

Dahiya has appointed Preetpal Singh, Joint Commissioner (Swachh Bharat Mission), as project in-charge.

“We are reviewing the Supreme Court order and will then decide on the further course of action. Stray dog bites are a menace in the city, which has long been highlighted. Yes, we must allocate space to set up dog shelters in the city. We are working to finalise the numbers required and their distribution zone-wise or ward-wise,” said Dahiya.

The two operational dog shelters are located in Baliwas and Daultabad, each housing 50 animals. Two additional facilities are under construction in Basai and Begampur Khatola, but they too will only be able to accommodate 50 dogs each.

Apart from relocating strays, the apex court has also instructed that dogs previously picked up and housed in shelters must not be released back on to the streets. It has warned against resistance to the relocation drive, emphasising the need to make streets free of stray dogs.

Animal rights activists say the biggest challenge will be balancing public safety with animal welfare.

“The authorities should review the condition of their existing animal shelters, whether for dogs or rescued wildlife. The animals are badly treated and many end up dying. The authority needs to get animal welfare and rights experts on board to ensure that no animal is killed in the name of public safety,” said activist Vaishali Rana Chandra.