Punjab Launches First Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana to Tackle Stray Dog Menace

Punjab has taken a significant step towards animal welfare and public safety by opening its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana. Launched as a pilot project, the initiative aims to manage stray dog populations humanely while reducing dog bite cases in urban areas, setting a model for replication across the state.

Why in News?

The Government of Punjab has inaugurated its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana. The project is designed as a pilot initiative to address stray dog-related concerns and will be expanded to other districts in the future.

Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana: Key Details

The newly inaugurated dog sanctuary marks Punjab’s first structured facility dedicated to stray dog management.

• Located in Ludhiana, the sanctuary will house and care for stray dogs.
• It aims to reduce dog bite incidents through systematic management.
• The facility will function strictly as per Supreme Court guidelines on animal welfare.

The sanctuary represents a balanced approach, focusing on both public safety and humane treatment of animals.

Government’s Objective and Vision

The initiative was inaugurated by Sanjeev Arora, Punjab’s Cabinet Minister for Local Government.

• The primary objective is to control stray dog populations without cruelty.
• It seeks to address rising public health and safety concerns in cities.
• The pilot model will help assess operational effectiveness before statewide rollout.

The government has highlighted that long-term solutions must combine animal care with responsible urban governance.

Supreme Court Guidelines and Legal Framework

The dog sanctuary will operate in accordance with Supreme Court directives related to stray animal management.

• Emphasis on humane handling and sheltering of dogs.
• Alignment with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
• Focus on sterilisation, vaccination, and controlled relocation.

Following legal guidelines ensures that the initiative balances constitutional compassion for animals with citizens’ safety.

Pilot Project and Statewide Expansion Plan

As a pilot project, the Ludhiana sanctuary will serve as a testing ground.

• Performance data will guide replication across Punjab.
• Urban local bodies will be involved in implementation.
• The model promotes institutionalised animal welfare infrastructure.

If successful, the initiative could become a template for other states facing similar stray animal challenges.

Key Summary at a Glance

Question

Q. Punjab’s first Dog Sanctuary has been opened in,

A) Amritsar
B) Patiala
C) Ludhiana
D) Jalandhar