In a significant move towards improving animal welfare while addressing public safety concerns, the Punjab government has inaugurated its first-ever Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana. Launched as a pilot project, the initiative aims to tackle the growing issue of stray dogs in urban areas through humane, structured, and legally compliant methods. The project is being seen as a potential model for replication across the state if proven effective.
The newly established sanctuary in Ludhiana is Punjab’s first dedicated facility designed specifically for the management and care of stray dogs. It will serve as a safe shelter where stray dogs can be housed, monitored, and treated, rather than being dealt with through ad hoc or often controversial measures. By providing organised care and oversight, the government hopes to reduce incidents of dog bites and improve coexistence between citizens and animals in densely populated urban areas.
According to officials, the sanctuary will function strictly in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines and existing animal welfare laws. These include provisions under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which stress humane handling, sterilisation, vaccination, and responsible management of stray dog populations. The facility will focus on non-cruel methods, reinforcing the principle that public safety and compassion for animals are not mutually exclusive goals.
The project was inaugurated by Sanjeev Arora, Punjab’s Cabinet Minister for Local Government, who emphasised the need for long-term, sustainable solutions to urban stray animal challenges. He highlighted that indiscriminate or harsh measures have failed in the past and often lead to legal and ethical concerns. Instead, the sanctuary-based approach aims to combine scientific animal management practices with responsible urban governance.
One of the key objectives of the initiative is to systematically reduce dog bite cases, which have become a growing concern in many cities across Punjab. By identifying, sheltering, sterilising, and vaccinating stray dogs, authorities expect to stabilise and gradually reduce the stray population, thereby lowering the risk of aggressive encounters. The sanctuary will also help monitor the health of animals, reducing the spread of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
The Ludhiana dog sanctuary has been conceived as a pilot project, allowing the government to assess its operational feasibility, cost implications, and impact on both animal welfare and public safety. Data collected from the facility, including reduction in bite cases, sterilisation coverage, and community response, will play a crucial role in shaping future policy decisions. If successful, similar sanctuaries could be established in other districts across Punjab.
Urban local bodies are expected to play a central role in the implementation and scaling up of the model. The government has indicated that coordination between municipal authorities, animal welfare organisations, and veterinary services will be essential for the initiative’s success. Institutionalising animal welfare infrastructure at the local level is seen as a critical step in ensuring consistency and accountability.
Legal experts and animal rights activists have largely welcomed the move, noting that adherence to Supreme Court guidelines is essential to avoid conflicts and ensure ethical practices. The Supreme Court has repeatedly stressed that stray dogs cannot be removed or harmed arbitrarily, and that any population control measures must be humane and scientifically grounded. By aligning the sanctuary’s operations with these directives, Punjab aims to strike a balance between constitutional compassion for animals and the safety of citizens.
If the Ludhiana pilot delivers the desired results, Punjab’s dog sanctuary model could serve as a template not only for other districts in the state but also for other states grappling with similar stray animal challenges. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that humane, well-planned solutions are key to addressing complex urban issues involving both people and animals.