Shimla civic body to come up with dog feeding zones

In a bid to improve public safety and promote animal welfare, the Shimla Municipal Corporation, has announced penalties for those found feeding stray dogs at undesignated locations. The MC is currently identifying specific zones across the city where feeding would be permitted.

Mayor Surinder Chauhan said the initiative aims to strike a balance between compassion for animals and the safety of residents and visitors. “Designated feeding areas are being marked across Shimla, and residents will be allowed to feed stray dogs only at these spots. Stringent action will be taken against violators,” he said.

The move is part of a broader effort to tackle the stray dog menace in the city. On August 15, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri flagged off an anti-rabies dog vaccination drive, which would continue until August 29. As of now, around 2,000 of the estimated 4,500 stray dogs across Shimla’s 34 wards have been vaccinated.

In a significant step towards monitoring and safety, the civic body has also introduced a colour-coded collar system. Dogs with a red collar would indicate aggressive behaviour or a history of biting incidents, while green or blue collars would denote dogs considered non-aggressive. Each collar would carry a QR code, which can be scanned to access information such as the dog’s age, health status, vaccination history as well as sterilisation details.

Stray dog attacks have become a problem for locals and tourists alike.

According to data from Deen Dayal Upadhyay Zonal Hospital, Shimla recorded 817 dog bite cases in the first six months of this year. Residents report stray dogs frequently roam in packs in key public areas such as The Mall, The Ridge and Sanjauli, where they often chase or attack pedestrians. This has led to growing safety concerns and inconvenience for those commuting through Shimla’s markets and streets.