After facing criticism over Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s earlier remarks on eliminating stray dogs, the Punjab Government is now moving towards creating “no-go zones” for stray animals in line with Supreme Court directions.
Punjab’s Local Government Department has begun identifying high-priority areas where stray dogs and cattle will not be allowed. The move is part of a comprehensive strategic action plan for stray animal management being prepared by the department.
Officials said the draft plan proposes enforcement of no-go zones along highways and around key public institutions. Before implementation, authorities will map vulnerable locations and appoint nodal officers for monitoring and enforcement.
Facing major infrastructural gaps, the department has proposed setting up Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres in all 23 districts. At present, Punjab has only 18 such centres. Around 3,500 dogs are sterilised every month across the state.
The urgency of the issue is reflected in the rising number of dog-bite incidents. Punjab recorded 3.34 lakh dog-bite cases in 2025. In the first four months of the year alone, over 1.37 lakh cases were reported, averaging more than 1,100 cases daily.
The state currently has only one stray dog sanctuary. The department has now proposed constructing additional dog shelters where animals can be housed and cared for in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and ABC Rules.
A senior government functionary said the formal action plan would be released this week.
Punjab Local Government Minister Harjot Bains said detailed guidelines would be issued in the coming days.
The action plan will initially focus on highways, where civic bodies, along with the Transport Department, PWD, National Highways authorities and police, will launch drives to clear stray cattle and animals. Authorities also plan to install signboards carrying emergency helpline numbers for commuters to report animal obstructions.
Educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, railway stations, parks, religious places and airports will be designated as priority no-go zones.
Nodal officers from respective departments will be tasked with preventing animal entry, strengthening fencing and gates within eight weeks, and ensuring scientific waste management to remove food sources that attract stray animals.
The department is also expected to issue detailed directions to Deputy Commissioners, Municipal Corporations and Panchayati Raj Institutions for implementation of the plan across Punjab.
