Patna: The Bihar government has announced plans to construct dog pounds across rural areas in an effort to curb the growing problem of stray dogs. The initiative aims to address public safety concerns, particularly the risk of dog bites in villages.
The Panchayati Raj Department has instructed district councils to identify suitable land for the construction of the facilities and issued directives to Deputy Development Commissioners to initiate the work promptly. According to Vineet Sinha, Information and Public Relations Officer of the department, the dog pounds will be built following designs and cost estimates prepared by the District Animal Husbandry Officer.
Funded entirely by the general fund of the Sixth State Finance Commission, the facilities are intended not only to contain stray and abandoned dogs but also to ensure their care is handled in a humane and scientific manner. The Animal and Fisheries Resources Department will oversee sterilisation, deworming, rabies vaccination, and other immunisations for the animals.
A helpline will be introduced at the district council level to enable residents to report problems related to stray dogs. Public awareness is also central to the plan, with campaigns to be rolled out at the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and District Council levels. Residents will be encouraged to avoid leaving leftover food in public spaces during festivals, weddings, and other gatherings, and waste management measures will be strengthened.
District Panchayat Raj Officers, Block Panchayat Raj Officers, and Panchayat Secretaries have been appointed as nodal officers to implement the scheme, with their work to be monitored by the Chief Executive Officer of the District Council. Officials believe the initiative will significantly reduce the risk posed by stray dogs and provide relief to rural communities.
