Shimla’s Stray Dog Crisis Sparks Urgent Action
Shimla woke up to a troubling reality when 36 people were bitten by stray dogs in a single day — a jarring spike that has pushed the city’s civic body into emergency mode. In response, the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) has launched a citywide operation to identify, capture, and shelter aggressive dogs, aiming to restore calm to the hill town’s anxious streets.
Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Atri confirmed that a special team is now on the ground, tracking about 14 to 15 dogs believed to be behind most of the recent attacks. “We’ve started a focused drive to isolate these animals,” he said, noting that the campaign began early Friday morning.
But this isn’t just a crackdown — it’s also a call for compassion. The SMC has already vaccinated over 1,600 stray dogs against rabies, tagging each with a barcode for better monitoring. Modern shelters have been set up on the city’s outskirts, offering safe enclosures and veterinary care for the captured animals.
The spike in bite cases comes amid a temporary lapse in public health oversight, with the post of Block Public Health Officer lying vacant until recently. Officials believe this gap may have disrupted routine vaccination and surveillance efforts.
To address the root of the issue, the SMC is also encouraging responsible adoption of sterilized dogs — even offering incentives like garbage bill waivers. “We’ve heard the complaints,” Atri said, “but we also need citizens to step up and be part of the solution.”
As Shimla balances safety with humane care, the hope is that collaboration between residents and authorities can bring peace back to its scenic streets — one paw at a time.
