In a decisive move to tackle the rising menace of stray dog attacks, the Punjab health department has rolled out comprehensive instructions for all health facilities across the state. This action comes in direct response to the recent directives issued by the Supreme Court of India, which expressed serious concern over the increasing number of dog bite cases nationwide.
Supreme Court's Mandate for Public Safety
The apex court had issued a clear order to all states, mandating the identification and securing of premises of key public institutions. The directive specifically targets government and private educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and hostels. It also encompasses hospitals, medical facilities, sports complexes, stadiums, bus stands, and railway stations.
The timeline set by the court is stringent. Authorities have been given just two weeks to complete the identification of all such premises. Following this, the actual work of securing these areas must be completed within eight weeks. The prescribed measures include erecting fencing, building boundary walls, installing gates, and implementing other necessary structural and administrative controls.
Key Responsibilities and Quarterly Checks
A crucial part of the new protocol is the appointment of a nodal officer for each institution. This officer will bear multiple responsibilities:
- Ensuring overall cleanliness of the premises.
- Preventing the entry of stray dogs.
- Acting as a liaison with local municipal authorities.
The details of this nodal officer must be prominently displayed on the institution's premises and formally notified to the concerned municipal body.
To ensure sustained compliance, the Supreme Court has mandated quarterly inspections. These checks will verify that no dog habitats exist within or near the secured premises. The order is unequivocal about the fate of any stray dog found inside: it must be removed, sterilised, and vaccinated. Critically, the animal must not be returned to the same location.
Ensuring Medical Readiness for Bite Victims
Beyond preventive measures, the court has also focused on treatment. It has directed all government and private hospitals to maintain a mandatory stock of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) at all times. This is to guarantee that victims of dog bites receive timely and potentially life-saving treatment without any delay.
The Punjab health department has communicated these instructions to all senior medical officers in the state. The communication reiterates the need for immediate steps to identify and secure premises as per the court's order. It also stresses the immediate removal, sterilisation, and vaccination of any stray dogs found within institutional boundaries, with a strict prohibition on returning them to the site.
This statewide drive represents a significant step towards creating safer public spaces in Punjab and aligns with the broader national effort to manage the stray dog population and protect citizens from the risk of rabies and injury.
