Chandigarh: With 3,858 dog bite cases reported in April 2026 alone — including 2,661 involving stray dogs and 1,288 classified as severe Category III bites — the gap between the Supreme Court directives and on-ground enforcement in Chandigarh is widening, raising serious public safety concerns.
Despite the court’s Nov 7, 2025 order mandating identification and segregation of “dangerous” stray dogs, the Chandigarh municipal corporation is yet to undertake a comprehensive, locality-wise exercise to identify aggressive or high-risk canines.
Officials acknowledge that identification remains largely complaint-driven. “There is no clear-cut definition of a dangerous or aggressive dog under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules,” an MC official said.
“The Supreme Court operationally defines a ‘dangerous or aggressive dog’ as one that is demonstrably so due to frequent, unprovoked attacks. Municipalities or residents cannot unilaterally label a dog as dangerous; it requires formal assessment and certification by qualified veterinary experts,” the official added.
Complaints regarding “dangerous” stray dogs have remained consistently high in Chandigarh through 2026, reflecting sustained public concern.
Official data shows 279 complaints were received in Jan, of which 59 involved bite cases and 43 were referred to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). In Feb, complaints rose to 301, including 58 bite-related cases and 30 SPCA referrals. The numbers dipped slightly in March to 237 complaints, with 30 bite cases and 25 SPCA interventions. April recorded 205 complaints, including 46 bite cases and 38 taken up by the SPCA.
Residents across sectors report a growing sense of fear, particularly among children. “Kids are scared to step out alone. There have been bite cases in our area, but we don’t see any concrete action. The situation is getting worse,” said Neha Gupta from Sector 38.
“Stray dogs chase us every morning during walks. We have complained multiple times, but nothing changes,” said Rakesh Sharma, a resident of Sector 21. “If these dogs are considered dangerous, then why are they still on the streets?”
The Supreme Court order also prescribes a conditional framework for action in institutions such as schools and hospitals. It requires these institutions to appoint nodal officers, display contact details, and secure their premises before the municipal corporation can remove stray dogs.
“As per the directions, our intervention depends on whether institutions have complied with these requirements. In many cases, this has not been done,” the official added, pointing to a key bottleneck in enforcement.
The MC has initiated work on a new dog shelter in Dadumajra, with a capacity of 1,980 dogs. The facility will include exercise areas, separate kennels, a kitchen, storeroom, veterinary clinic, administrative block, and waste treatment systems, in line with SC directions and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) guidelines.
“The MCC is awaiting approval of the architectural plans from the UT administration. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of this year,” an MC official said.
MAIN HEADER: Ground situation: Dog bites & enforcement data
BOX 1: Dog bites surge in Chandigarh (2026)Jan: 3,362
Feb: 3,382
Mar: 3,858
Apr: 3,860
Total (4 months): 14,462
BOX 2:Dog bite cases (March–April 2026)April 2026Total: 3,858
Stray: 2,661
Pet: 1,197
Severe (Cat III): 1,288
March 2026Total: 3,868
Stray: 2,298
Pet: 1,570
Severe (Cat III): 1,764
Trend: High caseload sustained; sharp rise in stray bites in April
BOX 3 Rising dog-bite cases over years2019: 13,628
2020: 20,344
2021: 23,875
2022: 29,190
2023: 36,300
2024: 40,153
BOX 4: ‘Dangerous dog’ complaints (2026)Jan: 279 (59 bites, 43 SPCA)
Feb: 301 (58, 30)
Mar: 237 (30, 25)
Apr: 205 (46, 38)
BOX 5: Compensation statusTotal disbursed: ₹1.3 crore since Sept 2024
Cases received: 960
Decided: 597
Paid: 453
Pending: 144
BOX 6: SC norms for removing strays from institutionsNodal officer mandatory: Institutions must appoint and notify a nodal officer
Public display: Contact details to be prominently displayed at entry points
Civic oversight: Process to be coordinated with municipal authorities under DM supervision
Campus security: Premises must be secured with boundary walls, fencing and gates
Access control: Structural/administrative steps to prevent entry of stray dogs
Precondition: Strays can be removed only after these measures are in place
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