Punjab is grappling with one of its most acute public safety challenges in recent years. A surging population of stray dogs has led to a record number of bite incidents — a three-fold rise since 2020. Last year, nearly 915 dog bite cases were reported every day. In response, the state government, while citing the stringent May 19 order of the Supreme Court, has announced a 21-day campaign to remove dogs from sensitive public areas, triggering sharp criticism from animal rights activists over implementation and animal welfare concerns.
Dr Asher Jesudoss, an executive committee member of the Animal Welfare Board at Delhi, said, “The primary concern with the Punjab government circular is that it attempts to implement stray dog removal and sheltering measures without first establishing the scientific, legal, veterinary, and infrastructural systems required under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) framework.”
About the Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court’s May 19 order, delivered by a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, prioritises Article 21 (right to life and dignity), allowing removal of dogs from public institutions. It permits euthanasia only for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous/aggressive dogs, after veterinary certification.
The order mandates sterilisation and vaccination as the core strategy. It rejects mass culling but allows sheltering in no-go zones instead of immediate release back into the same territory. It has also directed high courts to oversee implementation and dismissed pleas alleging misuse of its orders.
Systemic inadequacies
Punjab is grappling with a lack of sterilisation infrastructure, allegations of rampant corruption in Animal Birth Control programmes and no system in place to relocate dogs. Punjab also does not have a robust stray dog count mechanism and has severely limited shelter capacity — reportedly just one functional dog pound in Ludhiana, capable of housing around 500 animals from across 166 urban local bodies. Elsewhere, the local civic authorities are dependent on NGOs to pick, relocate and rehabilitate injured and abandoned animals that include cows, horses, and donkeys.
Mohali-based Meenakshi, who runs an NGO, Rab De Jeev, says given the steady increase in the visible number of stray dogs, the sterilisation drive needs scrutiny. “But no one talks about the injured and abandoned animals, including cows. The civic bodies have no place for them. Every time an animal is abandoned or injured on roads, NGOs are called to handle them.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has emphasised implementing the SC directives “in letter and spirit” to ensure citizens, especially children, can move freely without fear. The coming weeks will test whether the state government can translate political will into effective, lasting action.
Scale of the crisis
From 1.1 lakh dog bite cases in 2020, Punjab recorded a staggering 3.34 lakh dog bite cases in 2025. Districts like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, and Amritsar are among the worst affected. Till January this year, the state had reported 32,875 cases.
Open garbage dumps, rapid urbanisation, and inconsistent waste management have sustained large dog populations, while territorial aggression near feeding spots exacerbates attacks.
Worsening problem
Experts and officials point to systemic failures:
- Inadequate sterilisation: Despite years of the national ABC Rules (updated in 2023), coverage remains patchy. Corruption, poor monitoring, and limited veterinary infrastructure have undermined efforts.
- Relocation malpractices: Municipal workers often shift dogs from one area to another without proper sterilisation and vaccination, spreading the problem rather than controlling it.
- Vacuum effect: Removing dogs from an area without long-term measures allows new packs to move in.
- Feeding and habitat: Unregulated feeding and abundant food waste support higher populations.
Government response
Following the apex court order, the Punjab government directed municipal bodies to launch an “urgent crackdown”. Its key elements include:
n Formation of Stray Animal Control Task Forces in every municipal corporation, council, and nagar panchayat.
n Declaration of “no-release zones” in areas such as schools, hospitals, parks, high-footfall public spaces.
n Mapping of feeding hotspots and dog populations, shifting of dogs to shelters within 21 days.
n Expansion of ABC centres to all 23 districts.
n Strict accountability of officials.
Animal activists’ concerns
- Insufficient infrastructure: Lack of shelters, veterinary capacity, and funding could lead to overcrowding, poor conditions, or abandonment.
- Potential for cruelty: Mass capture without proper planning may cause stress, injury, or illegal relocation.
- Short-term focus: Without addressing waste management, sustained ABC, and community involvement, populations will rebound.
- Legal overreach: Critics say the 21-day timeline and broad removal go beyond the court’s nuanced guidelines.
The Way Forward
Many activists have called for science-based humane solutions, which include:
- Transparent, audited ABC programmes with measurable targets (like 70:30 female-to-male sterilisation ratio).
- Massive scaling of shelters, and veterinary infrastructure as well as integrated waste management to reduce food sources.
- Community participation and public awareness on responsible feeding and bite prevention.
- Data-driven monitoring of dog populations, bite incidents, and sterilisation rates.
