The Pilibhit district administration has directed three municipal councils and six town area committees to submit detailed reports on the stray dog population and their status in urban areas. This action follows a representation by lawyer and social volunteer Shivam Kashyap, who highlighted Supreme Court orders issued between August and November 2025.
Supreme Court Directives on Stray Dogs
Kashyap informed District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh that the Supreme Court had directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to capture, sterilize, and vaccinate stray dogs before releasing them back into their original locations. Aggressive or rabid dogs must be shifted to shelters. The court reaffirmed the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, mandating sterilization, deworming, and immunization before release.
Alarming Dog-Bite Statistics
Data from the Autonomous State Medical College (ASMC) reveals that approximately 100 to 120 dog-bite victims visit the hospital daily for anti-rabies treatment. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alok Kumar stated, "A total of 5,561 dog-bite victims visited 11 community health centres and 30 primary health centres across the district in April 2026, averaging nearly 185 cases a day. This excludes patients treated at ASMC, private hospitals, or those seeking traditional remedies."
DM's Response and Action Plan
DM Gyanendra Singh termed the situation serious and emphasized the need for urgent measures. "We will prepare a coordinated plan with urban local bodies and concerned departments in line with the Supreme Court order," he said, adding that a separate strategy would be formulated for rural areas.
The district administration is now awaiting reports from the municipal bodies to assess the stray dog population and plan effective interventions.
