In a significant move to curb the rising menace of aggressive stray dogs, the Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has formulated a permanent containment strategy. Under the new guidelines, canines identified as ‘repeat offenders’—specifically those involved in two or more biting incidents—will be removed from the streets and housed for life at a designated shelter.
The civic body has identified the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre in Kishanpur as the permanent facility for these animals. According to officials, the first phase of this initiative is designed to accommodate approximately 50 aggressive dogs.
Strict Protocol for Aggressive Canines
The administration was prompted to act following a noticeable surge in dog bite incidents over the last year. The new protocol draws a clear distinction between incidental bites and habitual aggression.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. R.K. Niranjan explained the operational procedure. Dogs involved in a single bite case will undergo a standard procedure: they will be sterilized and kept under observation for 10 days. If the animal shows no signs of rabies or abnormal aggression during this period, it will be released back to its original location, adhering to Supreme Court guidelines.
However, the rules are stricter for habitual attackers. If a dog is found to have attacked multiple individuals or displays consistent aggression, it will not be released. Instead, it will remain in municipal custody at the Kishanpur ABC Centre on a long-term basis.
Medical Care and Adoption Options
The KMC has committed to taking full responsibility for the feeding, medical treatment, and monitoring of the sheltered dogs. To ensure safety, separate isolation arrangements have been made for dogs diagnosed with rabies.
While the dogs are slated for permanent shelter, the administration has left a window open for adoption. Citizens willing to adopt these specific dogs must submit a legal affidavit committing to their lifelong care. If no such adopters step forward, the animals will remain under the care of the civic body.
Currently, Kanpur has an estimated stray dog population of 1.25 lakh. While nearly 35,000 dogs have been sterilized so far, the administration is now combining sterilization with microchipping to better track and monitor the animals. Officials stated that this dual approach aims to balance public safety in residential areas with adherence to animal welfare laws.
