MC touts ‘first of its kind’ dog park, forgets all about it

LUDHIANA: Despite getting sanctions required for development of a dog park, MC officials are clueless about the status of the park. Civic officials had announced the park with much fanfare, saying that it would be the first of its kind in north India, but it is still nowhere to be seen.
Residents have been demanding a designated dog park for a long time as pets are usually not allowed in public parks.In April, civic officials announced that they had completed the process of sanctions and would go ahead with the tendering process to hire a private firm.
However, officials claimed that they are yet to proceed with the tendering process.
A park in BRS Nagar was selected for the purpose with the involvement of Congress councillor Hari Singh Brar. The plan was to follow it up with dog parks in all zones so that people in other wards could also find space for their pets.
An official claimed that they had fulfilled formalities and received approvals but the tender had not been floated yet. He said that they were planning to get it done as soon as possible. According to him, the MC planned to provide play area and gym for dogs, apart from designated place for organising dog shows and special training camps, pet registration and vaccination counters, along with seating arrangements and public toilets for pet owners; all with the help of a private firm.
MC officials planned to develop the dog park to encourage people to register their pets. At the moment, very few people are coming forward to get their pets registered with the civic body. Officials are unable to conduct checks in the absence of surveys related to pets in the city. With the park project in a limbo, their plans to improve the situation have gone awry.
When contacted, MC veterinary officer Dr P Batish did not respond to queries.
Civic officials have not been able to start the vaccination drive for stray dogs in the city either. The vaccination drive was announced last year to control rabies.