Chandigarh, March 10: A surge in stray dog attacks has prompted the Punjab State & Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission to issue formal notices to state health authorities and urban local bodies. The Commission declared that it had taken notice of the unprecedented 3.34 lakh dog bite cases reported in the previous year, particularly focusing on districts like Sangrur where the impact is most severe.
The Commission asserted that the safety of the public is at stake, noting that the frequency of these incidents has seen a “staggering” rise. Official data indicates a consistent year-on-year increase, growing from 1.10 lakh cases in 2020 to over 2.13 lakh in 2024, before hitting the all-time high of 3.34 lakh in 2025.
Local activists and legal experts have pointed out the immense financial burden these cases may place on municipal councils. Advocate Kamal Anand noted that in Sangrur alone, recent brutal attacks on children could lead to compensation costs exceeding Rs 10 crore for the local Municipal Council.
The orders issued by Justice Sant Parkash and Justice Gurbir Singh require the Municipal Commissioners of Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Sangrur to explain the measures being taken to manage the stray dog population. The Director of Health and Family Welfare has also been made a party to the proceedings to address the medical response and data collection.
Authorities maintained that the state’s cooperation is essential to mitigate the risk to citizens. The Commission has set a deadline for the submission of these reports ahead of the hearing slated for late March, emphasizing the need for a coordinated strategy between the Health Department and municipal bodies.
