MP Arora, Mayor Inderjit Kaur Lay Foundation Stone for Dog Sanctuary-Cum-Hospital

Ludhiana, May 21, 2025: Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, along with Mayor Principal Inderjit Kaur, laid the foundation stone for a dog sanctuary-cum-hospital on Hambran Road on Wednesday. This groundbreaking initiative by the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana aims to address the growing issue of stray dogs in the city.

Spread over two acres—beginning with one acre—the facility will serve as a permanent shelter for stray dogs that are injured, sick, or unable to survive on their own. It will provide medical treatment, housing, and care strictly in accordance with the Animal Cruelty Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Only dogs permitted by law will be housed here, ensuring legal and ethical standards are met.

The sanctuary will be managed under the supervision of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Ludhiana.

Speaking to the media, MP Arora said the project is a long-term solution to public safety concerns and a step toward promoting responsible animal care. “During public interactions, I’ve received repeated complaints about stray dog attacks—especially from parents and senior citizens. Dog bites have become a serious concern in many areas of Ludhiana,” he said.

He added that the sanctuary will help reduce the risk of such incidents while also respecting the sentiments of animal lovers. “This is not just about containment—it’s a compassionate and sustainable model for urban animal management,” he emphasized.

The project was finalized in a meeting last month in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain. In the first phase, the sanctuary will accommodate 2,500 stray dogs, with scope for future expansion.

In addition to providing shelter and treatment, the sanctuary will offer spaying and neutering services to control the stray dog population, administer anti-rabies vaccinations, conduct rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and run awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership and peaceful coexistence with street dogs.

Highlighting its significance, Arora noted that although similar facilities exist in other states, this will be Punjab's first such dog sanctuary-cum-hospital.

Mayor Principal Inderjit Kaur called the project a much-needed relief for the residents of Ludhiana, who are frequently troubled by stray dog-related issues in their neighborhoods. “This facility is a gift to the people of Ludhiana. It will benefit both humans and stray dogs,” she said.

Also present at the event were Executive Engineer Balwinder Singh, Health Officer Dr. Vipal Malhotra, Dr Sulbha Jindal, Munish Shah, and other civic officials.