In a significant move to address the city's stray dog menace, the Kanpur administration has established a dedicated animal shelter home following fresh directives from the Supreme Court of India. The new facility, with a capacity to house 50 dogs, will implement strict protocols for canines that bite humans.
Supreme Court Mandate Shapes New Protocol
The shelter's operational framework is built on guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. A key rule states that any stray dog biting a person twice without provocation must be kept at the shelter for its entire life. For dogs that bite a person once, the procedure involves sterilization and a mandatory 10-day observation period at the centre. If the dog is found not to be rabid after this period, it will be released back at the location where it was captured.
Dr RK Niranjan, the chief veterinary officer of the Kanpur Municipal Corporation, elaborated on the adoption process. "If someone wants to adopt a dog, they must provide an affidavit stating that they will take care of the dog for life," he said. This ensures long-term responsibility for the animal's welfare.
Kanpur's Stray Dog Challenge and Current Measures
The scale of the issue in Kanpur is substantial. The city is estimated to have around 1,25,000 stray dogs. Data reveals the severity of the problem: last year, approximately 32,000 people suffered dog bites. A recent incident in August involved a BBA student in the Chakeri area who was attacked by stray dogs and required 17 stitches.
To manage the population, the municipal corporation has been actively running an Animal Birth Control (ABC) program. So far, 35,000 dogs have been sterilized. Currently, three dogs are housed at the city's Animal Birth Control Centre under the new guidelines.
Designated Feeding and Vaccination Points
In a parallel effort to systematise stray dog care and reduce human-animal conflict, the Kanpur Municipal Corporation began operating 55 designated dog feeding centres in September. Municipal Commissioner Sudhir Kumar emphasised that, as per Supreme Court norms, stray dogs should now be fed only at these specific spots. These centres also serve as points for vaccinating the animals, contributing to broader public health safety.
The establishment of the shelter and the enforcement of structured feeding zones mark a decisive step by the Kanpur administration. It aims to balance public safety concerns with animal welfare, adhering to the legal framework set by the nation's highest court.
