Shimla MC seeks High Court view to tackle stray dog menace

The Shimla Municipal Corporation has sought suggestions from the Himachal Pradesh High Court to curb the rising stray dog menace in the town.

Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan said the corporation was making efforts to address the stray dog issue and has approached the court for suggestions and guidelines on what more can be done to control the situation.

He said: “The rules of the Central Government as well as the Supreme Court regarding stray dogs are very stringent, which limits the corporation’s ability to take appropriate action.”

“Currently, the MC is carrying out a dog sterilisation campaign, which is expected to be completed within the next two months. A doctor has been assigned to the Corporation by the state government, and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) is also assisting with the sterilisation efforts,” he added.

He further said a dog shelter in Tutikandi, which had earlier been shut down following court orders, has now been reopened. The Mayor stated that ferocious dogs will be housed there to prevent them from attacking people.

“A designated space will also be provided for dog lovers in the town where they can feed the dogs,” he added.

The stray dog menace has become a major problem in the state capital, with dog bite cases being reported almost daily. Recently, a pack of stray dogs brutally attacked school students near the Dhalli Tunnel in Sanjauli, leaving them severely injured. The issue of rising dog attacks was also a key topic at the corporation’s monthly general house meeting, during which councillors questioned the Municipal corporation’s inability to handle the situation and expressed concern that the problem was spiraling out of control.

Himachal Tribune