Dehradun is set to get its first municipal stray dog shelters, with the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) planning two facilities at Kedar Puram and Shankarpur in Selaqui……..FILE PHOTO
Dehradun: The city is set to get its first municipal dog shelters, with the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) planning two facilities at Kedar Puram and Shankarpur in Selaqui.“Land for both sites has been identified, and a detailed project report worth Rs 4 crore has been submitted to the urban development directorate,” said Dr Varun Agarwal, senior veterinary doctor associated with DMC.Together, the two shelters, which will have the capacity to house over 550 dogs, will have stray, abandoned, or surrendered animals with the aim of rehabilitation and adoption. These facilities by the civic body will add to the already present infrastructure of shelters in the city, built and managed by private entities.The initiative was taken by the municipal commissioner in line with the Supreme Court’s mandate that stray dogs be removed from sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, bus stands etc, officials said.From 2016 to March 2026, as many as 54,270 dogs have been sterilised in the municipal jurisdiction, and there are over 260 govt clinics in the district where rabies vaccines are provided.“The move to set up shelters is aimed at addressing the city’s growing stray dog population while also improving public safety,” Dr Agarwal said.Moreover, the city also has 72 kennels, a number that is expected to go up to 150 within the next two months.
Kennels are boarding facilities where pets are housed temporarily when owners are away.While there has not been a recent survey of stray dogs in the city, according to official figures from 2019, Dehradun had around 34,000 stray dogs, while unofficial estimates placed the number closer to 50,000. Seven years on, officials believe the figure has risen significantly.Residents, too, say encounters with stray dogs are increasingly common.
“Stray dogs can be particularly dangerous for two-wheeler riders and children. I have seen children on the streets being chased and harassed by stray dogs. It is not safe for them to roam around freely in colonies and roads,” said Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Mayur Vihar.Animal welfare groups have welcomed the plan but stressed the need for humane management. “The shelters should be established in line with Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023. Adequate veterinary care, hygiene, and space standards should be maintained and CCTV cameras should be installed at the shelters to ensure accountability,” said Rubina Nitin Iyer, an animal rights’ activist associated with People for Animals Uttarakhand.Showing the way forward, she added, “The city should also invest in community-level engagement, designated feeding areas, conducting awareness campaigns, and sensitising communities to help reduce fear and conflict.”
