Mohali's Stray Dog Menace Grows as Authorities Fail to Act
Mohali continues to struggle with a dangerous stray dog problem. This situation persists despite clear and repeated directives from the Supreme Court of India. The ground reality shows little progress in protecting public safety.
Land Allotted in 2018, No Shelter Built
In 2018, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) provided 2.10 acres of land to the Mohali Municipal Corporation. This land, located near Industrial Area Phase 3, was specifically meant for constructing a dog shelter. The original plan designated one acre for a public park and another acre for the dog center.
Eight years have passed since that allotment. No construction work has begun. Not a single foundation stone has been laid. The vacant plot stands as a symbol of administrative inaction.
Supreme Court Directives Remain Unheeded
The Supreme Court has issued firm guidelines on this issue. The court emphasized the need for large-scale sterilization programs to control the stray dog population. It also mandated the establishment of proper dog shelters and care centers. The apex court clearly stated that public safety must not be compromised.
KK Saini, president of the Confederation of Residents Welfare Associations, highlighted this contradiction. "The court has categorically stated that human life is the most valuable," Saini said. "Proper and safe arrangements must be made for stray dogs."
Saini has repeatedly raised alarms with authorities. Around eighteen months ago, he wrote formal letters to the Deputy Commissioner and later to Chief Secretary Tejveer Singh. He flagged the alarming increase in dog-bite cases across Mohali.
"A report was sought, but to date we have not been provided a copy," Saini revealed. He has now written to the Deputy Commissioner again. His latest letter urges immediate directions to the Municipal Corporation to start building the shelter.
Mayor Demands More Land for Dog Pound
Mohali Mayor Jiti Sidhu entered the fray on January 15. She demanded that GMADA allot at least five acres of land for setting up a dog pound. The mayor cited the rapidly growing stray dog population and the increasing number of attacks on residents.
In a letter to the Chief Administrator of GMADA, Mayor Sidhu outlined the urgency. She stated that ensuring safety at schools, hospitals, bus stands, and other sensitive locations has become a basic necessity. The letter references Supreme Court guidelines which place responsibility on local authorities.
These guidelines make it clear that local bodies must ensure:
- Proper shelters and pounds for stray dogs
- Arrangements for sterilization and vaccination
- Adequate care for the animals
The mayor has urged GMADA to grant immediate approval for the land allotment. She stressed that this action must consider both public interest and the court's directions.
Public Safety Concerns Mount
The failure to establish the dog shelter has direct consequences. Reports of dog-bite incidents in Mohali are steadily increasing. Residents face daily risks when moving around their own neighborhoods. The problem has visibly worsened over the past eight years.
This ongoing crisis raises serious questions about administrative accountability. Two major authorities, GMADA and the Mohali Municipal Corporation, face criticism for their inaction. The delay highlights a gap between policy announcements and actual implementation on the ground.
The community waits for a solution that balances animal welfare with human safety. For now, the stray dogs roam freely, and the promised shelter remains just a plan on paper.
