After decade of silence, Shimla wakes up to stray dog menace

With Shimla facing an increasing threat from stray dogs, the Municipal Corporation revealed during its monthly General House meeting that no comprehensive survey of the stray dog population has been conducted in the city for the past decade.

The issue came to light when Kangnadhar councillor, Ram Rattan Verma, questioned the number of dog bite incidents reported this year. In response, the Municipal Commissioner stated that 134 dog bite cases were recorded between January 1 and June 30, 2025. He also confirmed that a few suspected rabies-infected dogs had died during the same period.

According to the Veterinary Public Health Officer (VPHO), 164 stray dogs have been officially registered in the city. Between January and June, 599 dogs were sterilised under the Animal Birth Control-Anti Rabies (ABC-AR) programme. Additionally, 789 stray dogs were vaccinated against rabies.

To curb the growing stray dog population and prevent the spread of rabies, a mass sterilisation and vaccination drive was launched by the corporation on May 13, in collaboration with NGOs and volunteers.

Municipal Health Officer Bhupinder Attri added that an awareness campaign was also underway to educate the public about handling aggressive and biting stray dogs. Educational materials are being developed for school children and councillors to spread awareness and promote safe interactions with stray animals.

On the domestic pet front, a survey conducted by the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) estimates that there are around 661 pet dogs in Shimla. The Department of Urban Development has also initiated an online registration process for pet dogs, though only 13 have been registered so far.

Authorities hope that the combined efforts of sterilisation, vaccination, and public education will help tackle the growing challenge of stray dogs in Shimla.

Himachal Tribune