The civic body on Tuesday resolved to write to the Centre with a plea “to amend the laws/rules taking into account the effectiveness that the current set of regulations have over the population of stray dogs in India over the years, and to device some ways to reduce the ever increasing population of stray dogs.”
An agenda in this regard was tabled before the house for discussion on Tuesday.
BJP councillor, Maheshinder Singh Sidhu, said, “The problem has reached such alarming proportions in Chandigarh that everyday numerous stray dog bite cases are being reported from all over the city. The elderly and children are especially vulnerable.”
“The current set of laws/rules in place, appears to lack teeth in tackling the ever increasing stray dog population,” it was specified.
Chandigarh Mayor Anup Gupta added, “The elderly and kids cannot move out of their homes in terror because of the street dog menace. Hence, this House has decided to send their sentiments to the Parliament on the issue.”
The agenda tabled before the House also mentioned that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules, as amended from time to time, have been enacted by the Parliament of India and provide for care, protection and safety of animals, especially stray dogs, throughout the territory of India.
“The Supreme Court of India and also the various High Courts of the country have also been passing various orders in this regard. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules provide for the methods and means by which the stray dogs are to be handled and taken care of by the concerned bodies/ authorities all over India. Now, after many years of sterilization programmes and despite the best efforts of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh and various animals welfare groups, NGOS, citizens and dog lovers, the stray dog population has increased manifolds and has become a menace for the residents of the city,” it was stated in the agenda.