Chandigarh: Government of Punjab has declared all schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, religious places, parks and sports complexes across the state as “no-release zones” for stray dogs.
Under the interpretation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 by the Supreme Court of India, stray dogs captured from these sensitive areas will not be released back at the same locations after sterilisation.
A senior government official said strict action would be taken against officers failing to comply with the directions, adding that personal accountability would also be fixed in cases of negligence.
Following Supreme Court guidelines, the Punjab government has ordered the formation of Stray Animal Control Task Forces across the state and launched a special drive against stray dogs in crowded and sensitive public places.
The government has also directed the Public Works Department (PWD), Transport Department, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and police authorities to identify stray animal movement points along highways, deploy 24-hour patrolling teams and install emergency helpline signboards.
All local departments have been instructed to submit their first report within 15 days and thereafter provide monthly progress reports detailing stray dog capture operations, sterilisation, vaccination, dog-bite incidents and shelter home facilities. Geo-tagging of stray dogs will also be carried out.
In a circular issued by the Local Government Department, all municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats have been directed to implement the Supreme Court’s orders in a time-bound manner to ensure public safety, particularly for children.
The apex court, in its May 19 order and earlier observations made in 2025, had stated that local authorities are duty-bound under Article 21 of the Constitution to protect citizens from stray dog attacks and threats to life.
Timeline fixed by Punjab government
Within 3 days: All municipal bodies must constitute Stray Animal Control Task Forces under the supervision of commissioners or executive officers.
Within 7 days: Mapping and survey of sensitive zones must be completed, including identification of dog populations, feeding hotspots and vaccination status.
Within 10 days: Complaint helplines, control rooms and rapid response teams must be operational in all urban areas under designated nodal officers.
Within 15 days: Land for dog shelter homes must be identified and public awareness campaigns regarding dog-bite prevention and rabies must begin.
Within 21 days: All stray dogs must be removed from sensitive zones such as schools and hospitals and shifted to designated shelters in accordance with the rules.
