Birth control remains effective plan to check stray dog menace

Dehradun: Animal activists and civic officials in Dehradun said the Supreme Court’s recent observations on euthanasia of rabid and highly aggressive dogs do not introduce any new provisions, maintaining that a robust Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme remains the most effective long-term solution to the growing stray dog population.

Activist Gauri Maulekhi described the court’s observations as balanced, saying they apply only to sensitive locations and not entire neighbourhoods. She added that implementation remains the responsibility of state authorities.

“The ABC programme should have been implemented on a war footing a decade ago. We are running a bit late now. However, we are finally on our way. The issue with ABC is that its results are not immediate and a significant difference will be visible only after a few years. A robust ABC programme is critical to addressing concerns related to both human-animal conflict and the SC directives,” said Rubina Nitin Iyer of People for Animals, Uttarakhand.

Officials of Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) said 54,701 dogs have been sterilised within municipal limits so far, and the programme is now being expanded to Selaqui, Doiwala and Vikasnagar blocks. They said municipalities are already implementing several measures mandated under existing rules. The Supreme Court last year directed civic bodies to establish shelters and designated feeding points for stray dogs.

“We have already identified 25 feeding points and are looking for more. Following increased awareness on the issue, complaints related to pet dogs have dropped significantly as people are complying with norms. Our 72 kennels currently house around 150 dogs and plans are underway to increase the capacity to 300. The ABC programme has also shown encouraging results. Stray pups are now seen only rarely, while adult dogs are being routinely vaccinated and sterilised,” said Dr Varun Agarwal, senior veterinary officer, DMC.

Activists said authorities must also crack down on illegal breeders and pet shops to prevent abandonment and ensure accountability. Till 2025, the state had 25 registered dog breeders and 55 registered pet shops, though the actual numbers are believed to be much higher.

Meanwhile, complaints about the growing stray dog population continue to reach DMC. Traders in Moti Bazaar said they have been seeking intervention for some time, particularly following multiple dog-bite incidents. Councillors have also raised the issue on several occasions.

Officials acknowledged that more needs to be done to fully address the problem but said stricter enforcement measures are being implemented to reduce complaints and minimise human-animal conflict.

“If everyone comes together, we can resolve outstanding issues easily. Putting the entire burden on any one stakeholder will not solve this,” said Iyer.

(With inputs from Niharika Chauhan)