Fewer dogs, more bites; Chandigarh's canine conundrum
In 2019, 13,000 dogbite cases were reported in the city, which increased to more than 40,000 in 2024. By the end of July this year, dog bite cases stood at 23,000.
Strangely though, increase in the number of dogbite cases is accompanied by decrease in the number of stray dogs. According to the 2018 census conducted by the UT animal husbandry department, the stray dog population at the time was nearly 13,000 (12,922). While official figures for the latest census (2024-2025), completed earlier this year, are yet to be made public, UT officials peg the dog population at around 9,500.
As per an MC survey conducted in 2023 on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court, the population of stray dogs stood at 9,500. Over the last 10 years (2015-2025), the MC claims to have sterilised nearly 31,000 stray dogs in the city.
That raises difficult questions for residents and authorities, who are divided on how to deal with the problem. Rakesh Soni, a resident of Sector 22, whose wife was once bitten by a stray dog, said, "I take care of six stray dogs in my area.
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Not all dogs mean harm to humans. If we manage them humanely, they live peacefully alongside us."
On the other hand, there are some who believe that dogs are too dangerous to be let loose. Pankaj Gupta, chief spokesman, FOSWAC, advocates implementation of the Supreme Court judgement on Delhi in Chandigarh as well. "Stray dogs have made city residents' lives a living hell. The situation is very dangerous, especially for the elderly and children.
Packs of six to 10 dogs roam the streets and attack people," he asserted.
Personal views on the subject apart, the issue of finances and logistics remains. "Feeding 9,000 stray dogs in a shelter could cost anywhere between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh per day, depending on the quality of feed. Besides, a large chunk of land will be required. Sterilisation has helped reduce the stray dog population in the city," an MC official said.
The Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre in Raipur Kalan can only handle 310 dogs at a time.
As for dog bite cases, canines of City Beautiful cannot be held solely responsible, the official pointed out. "People from nearby locations also come to Chandigarh for treatment of dog bite cases," he said.
**BOX1: Dog bite cases in Chandigarh from 2019 to 2025 (till July 2025)*
Year | Cases
2019 | 13,628
2020 | 20,344
2021 | 23,875
2022 | 29,190
2023 | 36,300
2024 | 40,153
2025 (till July) | 23,198
BOX2: Number of dog bite cases in Chandigarh till July 2025
Month | Cases
Jan | 3,462
Feb | 2,977
Mar | 3,515
Apr | 3,277
May | 3,032
June | 2,917
July | 4,018
Total | 23,198
*Source: UT health department
BOX3: Number of dogs sterilised in Chd since 2014-15
Period | Dogs sterilised
April 2015-Jun 2017 | 9,114
Aug 2017-Sep 2019 | 4,971
Sep 2020 – Nov 2021 | 6,721
Jun 2022-Sep 2024 | 5,817
Oct 2023-Feb 2025 | 4,615
Total | 31,238
BOX4: Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) drive (Jan 2024-July 2025)
2024
Month | Total Vaccination
Jan | 800
Feb | 693
Mar | 791
Apr | 1,068
May | 1,126
Jun | 1,057
Jul | 787
Aug | 608
Sep | 362
Oct | 342
Nov | 255
Dec | 235
2025
Month | Total Vaccination
Jan | 434
Feb | 220
Mar | 307
Apr | 283
May | 290
Jun | 0
July | 0
Total | 9,658
Source: Chandigarh Municipal Corporation
MSID:: 123261143 413 |
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