CHANDIGARH: Across Chandigarh, residents are grappling with the growing fear of stray dogs particularly in sector 34-D.
When a middle aged person was walking in the street in Sector 34 D , little did he realise that his routine would end in chaos. A pack of stray dogs, territorial and excited, bite him . He had to go to hospital for medical treatment. He said that he has been walking in this area for years, but the stray dog population has exploded recently. In one week only three are at least three to four dog bite cases. At times, the pedestrian/person on bicycle/two wheeler gets scared and shouts for help.
Some people have built a shelter for these stray dogs as such dogs collect here daily posing danger to passerbys. Residents of the sector are grappling with the growing fear of stray dogs. They have complained to SSP and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, for redressal of grievances.
It may be mentioned that Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2023 held that the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh has the duty to protect the residents from the menace of stray dogs.
Stray dogs continue to roam freely in green belts, parks, and residential areas, causing safety concerns for residents and visitors alike. In Chandigarh there is no law to overlook the larger issue of unchecked stray dog population. Every day the fear is real, especially for our children and elderly, informed a resident.