3,858 dog bites in April expose gap in SC norms enforcement in Chandigarh

Chandigarh: With 3,858 dog bite cases reported in April 2026 alone — including 2,661 involving stray dogs and 1,288 classified as severe Category III bites — the gap between the Supreme Court directives and on-ground enforcement in Chandigarh is widening, raising serious public safety concerns.Despite the court’s Nov 7, 2025 order mandating identification and segregation of “dangerous” stray dogs, the Chandigarh municipal corporation is yet to undertake a comprehensive, locality-wise exercise to identify aggressive or high-risk canines.Officials acknowledge that identification remains largely complaint-driven. “There is no clear-cut definition of a dangerous or aggressive dog under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules,” an MC official said.“The Supreme Court operationally defines a ‘dangerous or aggressive dog’ as one that is demonstrably so due to frequent, unprovoked attacks. Municipalities or residents cannot unilaterally label a dog as dangerous; it requires formal assessment and certification by qualified veterinary experts,” the official added.Complaints regarding “dangerous” stray dogs have remained consistently high in Chandigarh through 2026, reflecting sustained public concern.Official data shows 279 complaints were received in Jan, of which 59 involved bite cases and 43 were referred to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). In Feb, complaints rose to 301, including 58 bite-related cases and 30 SPCA referrals. The numbers dipped slightly in March to 237 complaints, with 30 bite cases and 25 SPCA interventions. April recorded 205 complaints, including 46 bite cases and 38 taken up by the SPCA.Residents across sectors report a growing sense of fear, particularly among children. “Kids are scared to step out alone. There have been bite cases in our area, but we don’t see any concrete action. The situation is getting worse,” said Neha Gupta from Sector 38.“Stray dogs chase us every morning during walks. We have complained multiple times, but nothing changes,” said Rakesh Sharma, a resident of Sector 21. “If these dogs are considered dangerous, then why are they still on the streets?”The Supreme Court order also prescribes a conditional framework for action in institutions such as schools and hospitals. It requires these institutions to appoint nodal officers, display contact details, and secure their premises before the municipal corporation can remove stray dogs.“As per the directions, our intervention depends on whether institutions have complied with these requirements. In many cases, this has not been done,” the official added, pointing to a key bottleneck in enforcement.The MC has initiated work on a new dog shelter in Dadumajra, with a capacity of 1,980 dogs. The facility will include exercise areas, separate kennels, a kitchen, storeroom, veterinary clinic, administrative block, and waste treatment systems, in line with SC directions and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) guidelines.“The MCC is awaiting approval of the architectural plans from the UT administration. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of this year,” an MC official said.MAIN HEADER: Ground situation: Dog bites & enforcement dataBOX 1: Dog bites surge in Chandigarh (2026)Jan: 3,362Feb: 3,382Mar: 3,858Apr: 3,860Total (4 months): 14,462BOX 2:Dog bite cases (March–April 2026)April 2026Total: 3,858Stray: 2,661Pet: 1,197Severe (Cat III): 1,288March 2026Total: 3,868Stray: 2,298Pet: 1,570Severe (Cat III): 1,764Trend: High caseload sustained; sharp rise in stray bites in AprilBOX 3 Rising dog-bite cases over years2019: 13,6282020: 20,3442021: 23,8752022: 29,1902023: 36,3002024: 40,153BOX 4: ‘Dangerous dog’ complaints (2026)Jan: 279 (59 bites, 43 SPCA)Feb: 301 (58, 30)Mar: 237 (30, 25)Apr: 205 (46, 38)BOX 5: Compensation statusTotal disbursed: ₹1.3 crore since Sept 2024Cases received: 960Decided: 597Paid: 453Pending: 144BOX 6: SC norms for removing strays from institutionsNodal officer mandatory: Institutions must appoint and notify a nodal officerPublic display: Contact details to be prominently displayed at entry pointsCivic oversight: Process to be coordinated with municipal authorities under DM supervisionCampus security: Premises must be secured with boundary walls, fencing and gatesAccess control: Structural/administrative steps to prevent entry of stray dogsPrecondition: Strays can be removed only after these measures are in place