Ludhiana: A surge in violent stray dog attacks across Ludhiana has left residents feeling abandoned by local authorities, as a flagship sanctuary remains nearly empty and a decade-long sterilization program fails to curb the canine population.Recent months have seen a spike in reported incidents, with children and the elderly suffering “deep wounds” in unprovoked attacks. Despite the rising toll, the municipal corporation (MC) has been accused of acting as a “mute spectator” to the crisis.A Sanctuary in Name OnlyThe city’s primary solution, a dedicated dog sanctuary run with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), is operating at a fraction of its intended capacity. In the original plan, it had a capacity for 2,500 dogs, but the target was lowered to 500 at inauguration. Current reality is that only 70 dogs are housed on the site. MC officials admit the facility cannot handle the city’s stray population and cited a lack of “adequate land” as the primary barrier to expanding the shelter.Political Friction Over Failed ProgrammesThe crisis has boiled over into the MC general house meetings, where councillors claim their pleas for intervention are being ignored. BJP councillor Rohit Sikka, who has claimed that his formal requests to address the menace in his ward fell on “deaf ears”, also accused authorities of trivialising public safety. Congress councillor Bhupinder Kaur emphasized the danger to children, stating officials “did not move an inch” despite mounting bite reports.While mayor Inderjit Kaur ordered the immediate removal of dangerous dogs recently upon councillor request, local representatives say the directive has not been implemented in “true spirit”.Sterilization StalledA decade-long Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme has also come under fire for its perceived total failure to stabilise the population. MC medical officer Vipul Malhotra confirmed that the city was starting over effectively. “We are preparing fresh tenders for the stray dog sterilization project,” Malhotra said, noting that the tenders would be uploaded to the MC website to attract new contractors. Until those contracts are awarded and land is secured, residents in Ludhiana’s most affected localities remain at the mercy of the streets. MSID:: 128750198 413 |
