Stresses Humane Approach, Ensures Anti-Rabies Vaccines, Sterilization and Clean Feeding Zones
Ludhiana, Dec 18
Reiterating the need for compassionate and coordinated management of stray animals, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain directed the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana (MCL) and the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats to identify designated feeding points for stray dogs in both urban and rural areas.
The initiative aims to promote a humane and scientific approach to stray dog management by ensuring that the animals remain well-fed, calm, and territorial — thereby reducing incidents of aggression and conflict with residents.
Chairing a meeting with officials from the Municipal Corporation, Rural Development and Panchayats, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Health, Animal Husbandry, Police, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and other departments, the Deputy Commissioner emphasised compliance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines on stray dog welfare.
Jain said that stray dogs naturally live in territorial packs and seldom cross into another pack’s zone for food. Hence, mapping and designating suitable feeding areas would help minimise hunger-driven aggression, discourage random feeding in public places, and ensure public safety and cleanliness. He instructed MCL workers to maintain hygiene and cleanliness at these feeding zones.
The DC also sought detailed reports on dog-catching teams and the progress of sterilization drives under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. The Rural Development and Panchayats Department has been asked to sensitise village sarpanches and ensure participation in sterilization efforts to control the stray dog population humanely.
In a humanitarian move to protect both people and animals, Jain directed the Health Department to ensure uninterrupted availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin in all government hospitals. He further mandated immediate reporting of dog bite incidents to the district administration.
A dedicated control room and public helpline will soon be established to register complaints or information related to stray animals and dog bites.
Addressing road safety concerns, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the MCL, NHAI, and Rural Development and Panchayats departments to relocate stray cattle from highways and roads to the government cattle pound (Gaushala) at Burj Powat village, in order to prevent vehicular accidents and ensure animal safety.
Jain announced that the district administration will review progress on these measures every Tuesday, with departments held accountable for their performance.
“Our aim is to balance compassion with public safety. Stray animals deserve care and protection — and through structured feeding, vaccination, and sterilization, we can build a humane and peaceful coexistence between citizens and community animals,” Jain said.
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