The Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) has submitted a proposal to the state government seeking approval for the second phase of its Animal Birth Control (ABC) project, aiming to sterilise an additional 20,000 stray dogs across the city. Despite successfully completing the first phase of the project, which sterilised a similar number of canines, the civic body continues to face mounting challenges from the city’s growing stray dog population.
The proposal, pending approval from Chandigarh authorities for several months, has left the city’s sterilisation programme in limbo. Officials say the delay stems from the state’s demand for a verified survey of Amritsar’s current stray dog numbers. The civic body estimates the population now exceeds 50,000, with rising reports of dog bite incidents across several localities, including Katra Ahluwalia, Guru Bazaar, and Sultanwind Road.
To prevent a complete halt to the project, the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) has approved an interim extension for sterilising an additional 5,000 dogs with the existing firm. Each sterilisation costs approximately ₹900 per dog.
Meanwhile, a two-member team from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) inspected the Naraingarh Animal Birth Control Centre on Wednesday to assess hygiene, medical facilities, and post-operative care. A similar inspection at the Fatehgarh Shukarchak Centre was conducted earlier.
The Municipal Corporation has reiterated its commitment to controlling the stray population humanely and ensuring safer streets for residents.