Phagwara stray dog menace raised before human rights panel, ex-MP seeks action

Former Member of Parliament Avinash Rai Khanna has sharply criticised the Punjab Government and the state’s Animal Husbandry Department for what he termed as “persistent negligence” in controlling the rising population of stray dogs across Punjab, especially in Phagwara.

Citing a recent news report highlighting the distress faced by Phagwara residents due to the growing number of stray dogs, Khanna has taken up the matter with the Punjab State Human Rights Commission.

Khanna stated that it is the primary responsibility of the Animal Husbandry Department to regulate the stray dog population through humane measures such as sterilization and vaccination. However, he alleged that the department has failed to implement effective population-control mechanisms, leading to increased risk for residents, including frequent dog-bite incidents and growing insecurity in affected areas.

In a written communication to the Human Rights Commission, Khanna urged the panel to issue directions to the state government to clearly define and enforce the responsibility of the Animal Husbandry Department in managing stray dog populations. He emphasised that the issue is not confined to Phagwara alone but affects towns and cities across Punjab, calling for a coordinated, state-wide strategy to address the problem.

Khanna stressed that timely and systematic sterilization and vaccination drives are essential to bring the situation under control and ensure public safety. He stated that failure to act promptly would not only worsen the crisis but also amount to a lapse in the government’s duty to protect citizens’ rights. The matter now awaits consideration by the Human Rights Commission, which is expected to review the concerns raised and seek a response from relevant authorities, said Khanna.