Introduction
Gurgaon, a busy city in Haryana, is facing a challenge with stray dogs. The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) is working to improve the situation. This comes after a Supreme Court order that says stray dogs should be moved from the streets to shelters.
Current Efforts in Animal Control
The MCG has two Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers in Gurgaon. These centers are located in Baliawas and Kherki Majra. Through partnerships with two non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the MCG is trying to control the stray dog population. So far, in 2025, over 20,000 dogs have been vaccinated and sterilized at these centers. Preetpal Singh, the Joint Commissioner of MCG, confirmed this in a statement.
Challenges Faced by the Municipal Corporation
Despite these efforts, Gurgaon faces a serious issue. The city has only two ABC centers and no dedicated shelters. Singh mentioned, “The MCG does not operate dedicated shelters, and treated dogs are returned to their original locations after the procedures.” This means that once dogs are treated, they go back to where they came from, which does not solve the problem of stray dogs on the streets.
Currently, the city has two dog-catching vans. In contrast, Panchkula, another city nearby, has a kennel house with a capacity for 1,000 dogs. This difference highlights the lack of animal control facilities in Gurgaon.
Plans for Future Improvements
To comply with the Supreme Court’s order, the MCG has plans to improve its facilities. Singh reported that they are identifying land and buildings for new centers. He noted, “We will begin identifying land and appropriate buildings soon for the centers.” The goal is to increase the number of vaccination and sterilization procedures from 300 to 1,200 each month.
The MCG aims to open two more ABC centers, one in each zone of the city. This expansion is critical because the existing centers are not large enough to serve the city’s needs. Singh also stated, “The two existing centres are neither big enough, nor do they have sufficient amenities to be turned into shelters.” Once more centers are open, the corporation hopes to better handle the stray dog population.
Concerns About Dog Bites
Gurgaon has faced many incidents of dog bites, raising safety concerns among its residents. Data from Dr. Shalini Goel, a deputy civil surgeon in Gurgaon, showed the number of dog bites reported between January and May of this year. There were:
- 2,165 cases of stray dog bites
- 404 cases of pet dog bites
- 125 cases of cat bites
This data indicates a concern for public safety. The issues are not new. In 2024, there were 4,529 cases of stray dog bites, down from 4,685 in 2023. This slight decrease shows a small improvement in managing stray dogs.
Feedback from the Community
Sudhir Sachdeva, the founder of Stand for Animals, shared his thoughts on the situation. Stand for Animals is a Delhi-based NGO that supports animal welfare across northern India. He said, “We have been feeding more than 1,000 dogs every day, getting 300 neutered and up to 3,000 vaccinated every year.” This organization is very active in helping stray dogs but also sees the problems in the current approach.
Sachdeva believes that the MCG’s plan for new centers will not be enough to solve the stray dog issue. He mentioned, “The centres identified in the NCR will neither be sufficient nor successful.” He also pointed out that good care, including feeding and vaccination, is essential. Without this, problems like rabies and overpopulation can worsen. He added, “If they are not fed well, not sterilised, not vaccinated, then these things happen. Tackle those issues and their rabies, aggression and hunger will go away.”
Conclusion
The road ahead for Gurgaon’s stray dog situation is clear. The MCG must follow the Supreme Court order while finding better ways to manage the stray dog population. More ABC centers are essential to ensure that vaccinations and sterilizations can increase to 1,200 per month.
Public safety is a priority, and the MCG needs to take action quickly. With the help of community organizations and proper facilities, Gurgaon can make strides in solving its stray dog problem.
