Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) plans a major stray dog sterilisation and birth control drive. Mayor Dipak Majumder announces awareness campaigns, humane relocation of aggressive dogs, and compliance with Supreme Court guidelines to ensure public safety and animal welfare.
The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to undertake extensive and systematic measures to control the growing population of stray dogs within the city, Mayor Dipak Majumder announced on Friday. The initiative will primarily focus on sterilisation, public awareness, and relocation of aggressive dogs to designated shelter homes to ensure public safety and animal welfare.
Speaking to media persons during a high-level meeting held at the AMC conference hall, Mayor Majumder said that the civic body is committed to implementing a humane and legally compliant strategy to address the issue of stray dogs across the city. Officials from the Animal Resource Development Department were also present at the meeting, highlighting the collaborative approach adopted by the corporation.
According to an estimated census conducted by AMC, more than 1,200 stray dogs are currently living within the municipal limits of Agartala. The Mayor stated that the increasing number of street dogs has become a matter of serious concern, particularly due to incidents of aggression and public inconvenience in certain localities.
Referring to a recent Supreme Court verdict, Majumder clarified that the responsibility of safeguarding city residents from threats posed by stray dogs lies with the civic bodies. At the same time, the court has also emphasized that municipal authorities must ensure that animals are protected from cruelty or harm.
“The obligation to protect citizens from street dog-related incidents and the responsibility to safeguard the dogs themselves both rest with us. This is why a comprehensive and balanced strategy is required,” the Mayor said.
A key component of the upcoming initiative will be the implementation of an intensive birth control programme through sterilisation. The Mayor noted that the latest rules make it mandatory for civic bodies to take effective steps toward controlling the population of stray dogs through scientific and humane methods.
To ensure the success of the programme, AMC plans to launch extensive awareness drives across all wards of the city. These campaigns will aim to educate residents about responsible pet ownership, the importance of sterilisation, and the legal framework governing animal welfare.
Majumder also stressed that citizens who keep pet dogs must be informed about their responsibilities. “Pet owners need to be aware of the rules and understand the role they must play as responsible citizens. AMC will take initiatives to clearly define these responsibilities through awareness programmes,” he said.
| Also Read: CM inaugurates personalized adaptive learning Labs in 210 Schools |
Addressing concerns over public safety, the Mayor announced that dogs found to be aggressive or involved in repeated attacks on pedestrians would be identified and shifted to shelter homes. This measure, he said, would help prevent untoward incidents while ensuring that the animals are cared for in a safe environment.
The Agartala Municipal Corporation is expected to finalise a detailed action plan soon, outlining timelines, resource allocation, and coordination mechanisms with concerned departments. The initiative reflects AMC’s effort to balance public safety with compassion, while adhering to legal mandates and animal welfare norms.
