In a significant administrative move to address the growing public concern over stray dog bites and aggressive canine behavior, the Haryana Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Department has officially notified a comprehensive “Sterilization and Management Policy.”
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The Core Objective: The policy aims to stabilize and eventually reduce the stray dog population across all municipal corporations, councils, and committees in the state. This follows a sharp increase in reported dog bite incidents in urban centers like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula over the last six months.
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Key Features of the Policy:
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Mandatory Sterilization (ABC): All urban local bodies are now mandated to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program. Agencies will be hired to catch, sterilize, vaccinate, and release dogs back to their original locations as per AWBI guidelines.
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Standardized Infrastructure: The notification directs municipalities to set up dedicated ABC Centers with modern operation theaters and post-operative recovery wards.
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Micro-chipping & Collaring: For the first time, sterilized dogs will be tagged with microchips or colored collars to maintain a digital database and track their vaccination history.
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Pet Registration Linkage: The policy also tightens the rules for pet owners, making online registration and annual vaccinations mandatory to distinguish between domestic and stray animals.
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Role of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs): RWAs have been given a formal role in identifying “feeding points” within sectors to prevent dogs from congregating near parks or school gates. The policy encourages community feeding but in a regulated manner.
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Funding and Execution: The state government has sanctioned a special fund for the initial rollout phase. Local bodies are authorized to collaborate with recognized NGOs and veterinary colleges to expedite the sterilization process.
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Public Reaction: While animal rights activists have welcomed the focus on humane sterilization, many residents are demanding faster implementation, citing the immediate danger posed by packs of aggressive dogs in residential streets.
