Menace of stray dogs: Shimla locals seek concrete action

The Shimla Nagrik Sabha staged a protest outside the Municipal Corporation office on Wednesday, highlighting the growing menace of stray dogs and monkeys in the city. Protesters demanded the creation of separate shelters for ferocious dogs outside town, strict implementation of the Supreme Court’s order on stray dogs and the designation of specific dog-feeding zones away from crowded areas. They also urged the MC to install more CCTV cameras and take legal action against those who feed dogs indiscriminately.

Residents further pressed for the installation of monkey-repelling devices across town, large-scale sterilisation of stray dogs and monkeys, mandatory registration of all dogs, stricter rules for pet owners and Rs 1 lakh compensation for bite victims.

Speaking at the protest, Sabha president Jag Mohan Thakur said the administration must prioritise public safety, especially of women and children, who are increasingly falling victim to dog and monkey bites. “Such incidents occur almost daily and a concrete policy must be framed to tackle this issue,” he said, adding that the MC should allocate a separate budget for the problem.

Thakur stressed that Shimla’s global reputation as a tourist destination was at stake. “The menace not only threatens locals but also tarnishes the image of the state capital. Stray dogs at bus stops and rain shelters often make it difficult for women and schoolchildren to commute safely,” he added.

After the protest, a delegation met Joint Commissioner Bhuwan Sharma, who assured them that concrete measures would soon be taken to address their demands.