Stray dogs roam freely on streets
The growing menace of stray dogs has become a serious concern for public safety and requires urgent attention. Pets are generally known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners. Responsible pet lovers ensure proper care by providing shelter, timely food and necessary vaccination. However, stray dogs continue to roam freely on streets and other public places, feeding on waste thrown in the open by eateries or from overflowing garbage bins. Packs of stray dogs are often seen around carcass dumping sites, feeding on dead animals and when disturbed or frightened, they can turn aggressive and attack passers-by. Since stringent legal provisions under Sections 428 and 429 of the IPC prohibit acts of cruelty such as killing, poisoning, or maiming animals, their population has continued to rise unchecked. Several incidents of dog bites are reported daily from different parts of the country, where little children, women and elderly people are often the worst victims of such attacks. Besides dog-bite cases, stray dogs and cattle also become a major cause of grievous road accidents, posing a serious threat to public safety. Taking cognisance of this growing menace, the Supreme Court recently permitted euthanasia of dangerously aggressive or rabid stray dogs to address the challenge. As there is an urgent need to effectively control stray cattle and canine populations, local administrations must constitute dedicated squads to catch and relocate stray dogs to properly managed shelters for public safety. Just as cow shelters have been established in many places, well-maintained protection centres for stray dogs, along with large-scale sterilisation drives, are essential to curb their increasing numbers. In Punjab, the government has initiated a 21-day crackdown to cage all stray dogs and shift them to designated shelters, while culling the ones infected with serious diseases. On the other hand, while concerns regarding animal cruelty do deserve due consideration, those opposing every regulatory measure must also recognise the paramount importance of the safety and security of humans under all circumstances. Measures such as removing stray dogs from public places and culling those suffering from rabid ailments are indeed effective ways to deal with the crisis.
Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath
Govt should make policy more humane
The Punjab Government’s decision to cull all stray dogs in an effort to get rid of the menace appears to have been taken in haste and without adequately considering all the underlying aspects of the issue. The Apex Court’s ruling seems to have been misunderstood in the context of its true spirit and intent, as it is not a blanket permission for killing all dogs found on the streets. According to the judgement, only those dogs that are extremely dangerous and pose an immediate threat to human lives are to be euthanised. The Punjab government therefore needs to revisit its order and make it more humane, practical and sustainable without compromising on the ultimate objective of addressing the menace effectively. As a first step, all stray or street dogs must be sterilised and vaccinated through a well-planned and concerted line of action. Thereafter, they should be removed from public places and shifted to shelters that are specially built and properly maintained by the government. At the same time, there must be a clearly documented policy regarding the euthanasia of dogs that are exceptionally dangerous and constitute a serious threat to human lives. In addition, members of the public may be given the option of adopting street dogs and keeping them as pets in accordance with the existing guidelines on the subject.
Jagdish Chander
Strengthen vaccination drives across state
The Supreme Court’s recent observations regarding dangerously aggressive or rabid stray dogs have reignited an important debate between public safety and animal welfare. Rising incidents of dog attacks have created fear among citizens, particularly children and senior citizens, making immediate action necessary. However, merely removing or culling stray dogs cannot be considered a complete or permanent solution to the problem. The Punjab Government must ensure strict action against rabid and violent dogs while simultaneously strengthening sterilisation, vaccination and rehabilitation programmes. Poor waste management and the abandonment of pets are among the major reasons behind the growing stray dog population and must also be addressed seriously. The issue requires a humane, scientific and legally balanced approach rather than emotional or extreme reactions. Public safety should remain the foremost priority, but compassion towards animals must also be preserved. A coordinated effort involving authorities, animal welfare groups and citizens can help create a safer, more responsible and more compassionate society.
JP Singh
Human lives are far more precious
The stray dog menace has been a subject of concern and fear for a very long time. Time and again, we hear about small children being mauled by these dangerous creatures. Many precious human lives have been lost because of attacks by stray dogs, making the issue a matter of grave concern. Not only children but people belonging to all age groups are becoming victims of stray dog attacks. Their increasing presence in large numbers on streets and roads has emerged as a serious challenge for society. The recent verdict on this important subject has received support from a large section of the public. Although laws aimed at controlling the problem existed earlier as well, the situation did not improve significantly. However, this new verdict appears to be stricter and more comprehensive and is expected to help reduce the stray dog population to some extent. It is essential that this recent verdict be implemented seriously so that people, especially small children, can move through streets and roads without fear. Human lives are far more precious and must be protected from avoidable dangers. There should be a fearless atmosphere in public places where citizens can go about their daily lives without the constant threat of dog attacks. Let us appreciate and support this law aimed at protecting human beings from becoming victims of these cruel creatures. At the same time, rather than leaving everything to the authorities, citizens should also contribute by informing the concerned departments about the presence of stray dogs in their localities and by monitoring the actions taken to address the issue. Let us all come forward and work together towards creating dog-free streets and a safer, more fearless atmosphere for everyone.
Rajat Kumar Mohindru
Healthy dogs should not be euthanised
Healthy stray dogs should not be euthanised under any circumstances. The most effective and sustainable way to control the stray dog population is through systematic spaying and neutering programmes. Vaccination is another important alternative that must be adopted on a large scale to ensure both animal welfare and public safety. In addition, shelters should be established and properly maintained at the district-level for dogs suffering from illness, injury, or other medical conditions. Such facilities can provide care and rehabilitation while preventing sick animals from remaining on the streets. Euthanasia should be recommended only in exceptional cases involving rabid dogs, animals suffering from severe injuries with no chance of recovery, or those affected by chronic and debilitating diseases. A balanced approach based on veterinary advice, humane treatment and scientific population control measures is essential for effectively addressing the issue.
Dr Sukhnain Singh
Govt should ensure safety of citizens
Yes, I firmly believe that it is extremely important to address this issue by taking effective and practical measures to control the growing number of stray dogs. We have witnessed several incidents in which people, including elderly citizens and young children, have been attacked by stray dogs, resulting in serious injuries and, in some unfortunate cases, tragic outcomes. As a result, many residents no longer feel safe moving freely within their own neighbourhoods. Stray dogs often chase two-wheelers such as scooters and motorcycles, causing riders to lose balance and meet with accidents that lead to injuries as well as property damage. Such incidents clearly demonstrate that the problem poses a significant threat to public safety and requires immediate attention from the authorities. The government and local administrative bodies must therefore take strict, responsible, and effective action to ensure the safety and security of citizens. There should be no unnecessary leniency when public welfare and safety are at risk. Protecting human lives and maintaining public order should remain the foremost priorities while addressing the issue in a practical and sustainable manner.
Ravneet Kaur
A balanced approach is required
The increasing number of stray dogs has created a growing sense of fear and insecurity among many people. While some individuals genuinely love and care for dogs, it is equally important to understand that not everyone feels comfortable around them. Many people, especially children, elderly citizens and those who have previously had unpleasant or traumatic experiences, may feel frightened or threatened by the presence of stray dogs. Unfortunately, people who raise concerns regarding this issue are often criticised by dog lovers, which only serves to complicate the matter further. Caring for animals is undoubtedly important, but public safety must also be treated as a priority. Feeding stray dogs without proper planning and management can sometimes encourage them to gather in specific areas, leading to territorial instincts or aggressive behaviour that may put others at risk. A balanced approach is therefore required—one that safeguards animal welfare while simultaneously ensuring public safety. The government must take the issue seriously and implement effective, practical and long-term solutions capable of addressing the root causes of the problem rather than merely providing temporary relief.
Yashika Sharma
Ensure regular waste collection
The stray dog crisis is not merely an animal-related issue; it is also a civic administration problem that demands serious attention. Poor waste management practices and the existence of open garbage dumps provide an easy, continuous and dependable source of food for stray dogs. This encourages their population to grow steadily and leads to the formation of large packs in residential and public areas. Unless this root cause is effectively addressed, simply removing stray dogs from the streets will provide only temporary relief and will not solve the problem permanently. Local bodies must ensure regular and efficient waste collection, prevent open dumping, and significantly improve sanitation standards in public spaces. At the same time, additional dog shelters and rehabilitation centres should be established to accommodate aggressive, injured, abandoned or vulnerable animals. Controlling food sources through improved waste management, coupled with stronger shelter and rehabilitation infrastructure, can play a major role in reducing the stray dog menace. Such measures will help create safer neighbourhoods while also ensuring a more humane approach towards animals.
Shivam Sharma
Identify dog attack hotspots
The administration should focus primarily on protecting people from dog attacks, particularly children, elderly residents and morning walkers, who are among the most vulnerable sections of society. Ensuring public safety must remain a key objective while formulating policies to address the issue of stray dogs. However, culling alone cannot be regarded as a sustainable or long-term solution. Authorities should identify dog attack hotspots and undertake focused sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination drives in such areas. Targeted interventions in locations where attacks occur frequently can help reduce risks more effectively and create safer public spaces. In addition, stricter penalties should be imposed on residents who abandon their pet dogs after they become difficult to manage, grow old, or fall sick. Such irresponsible actions contribute significantly to the growing stray dog population and often result in packs of abandoned dogs roaming the streets. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of attacks, road accidents and the spread of diseases. A comprehensive strategy that combines accountability, sterilisation, vaccination and public safety measures is therefore essential.
Neelam
Public safety should not be ignored
It is easy to be compassionate when compassion requires no effort. The real challenge, however, is to remain compassionate when confronted with problems that are complex, inconvenient and uncomfortable. Before we label stray dogs as a menace, we must remember that many of them are simply trying to survive a life that none of us would willingly choose for ourselves. They endure scorching heat during summer, bitter cold in winter, hunger, accidents, mistreatment by humans and constant uncertainty about survival. A hungry, frightened, or distressed animal is often responding to circumstances that human society has helped create. Certainly, dog attacks and rabies are genuine concerns and public safety cannot and should not be ignored. Yet fear should not rob us of our humanity or compassion. Well-fed, cared-for and properly managed dogs are far less likely to attack human beings. If we are unable to make space for a few hungry creatures that share our streets and surroundings, it is worth asking what our humanity truly means. The challenge before us is not the absence of humane solutions but rather the lack of commitment to implementing them. Sterilisation drives, vaccination programmes and stronger partnerships with animal welfare organisations can effectively control dog populations while protecting both people and animals. The real question, therefore, is not whether solutions exist, but whether we possess the determination and collective will to act upon them in a meaningful and sustained manner.
Randeep Dhillon Mand
Stray dogs deserve protection
The recent Supreme Court observations regarding euthanasia of rabid or dangerously aggressive stray dogs must not be misinterpreted as a licence for indiscriminate culling. Public safety is important, but so is our legal and moral duty towards animals. Article 51A(g) of the Constitution casts a fundamental duty on every citizen to show compassion towards living creatures, while the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, safeguards animal welfare. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown that mass killing of stray dogs does not solve the problem; it only creates a vacuum that attracts more dogs into the area. The real solution lies in effective implementation of Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes, anti-rabies vaccination, proper waste management and responsible pet ownership. A civilised society must protect both human lives and animal rights. The objective should be peaceful coexistence through humane, scientific and lawful measures rather than treating stray dogs as enemies of society.
Kumar Sambhav
