Dog sterilisation centre in Solan to be opened soon

The Solan Municipal Corporation has established a double-storey dog sterilisation centre to control the rising stray dog population. The facility, built at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, is nearing completion and will soon begin operations.

Equipped with 20 cages, each covering 180 sq cm, the centre also features a 220 sq m operation theatre and designated pre- and post-operative care areas. Medical staff, including doctors and nurses from the Animal Husbandry Department, will conduct sterilisation procedures.

Mayor Usha Sharma said the decision to set up this centre was made due to the rapid increase in stray dogs in the city and was also included in the municipal budget. She emphasised that sterilisation is the only legal and effective way to control the population, as culling is not allowed.

The issue has become urgent, with dog bite cases surging in Solan district. In 2024 alone, 12,377 cases were reported, compared to 11,690 in 2023 and 10,457 in 2022. Stray dogs often overturn community waste bins in search of food and have been known to attack women, children, and the elderly.