Panchkula, Oct. 3 -- Responding to a sharp increase in dog bite cases-with 8,925 incidents recorded in the first ten months of 2024 alone-the Panchkula municipal corporation (MC) is launching a groundbreaking initiative to tackle the menace of aggressive stray dogs. For the first time, these high-risk strays will be provided with dedicated medical care, behavioural training, and socialization to bring their aggression down to a "zero level." This programme, mandated by Supreme Court directions and operating under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, involves isolating the dogs for rehabilitation before they are certified by a veterinarian and safely re-released at their original location.

Most dog bite cases in the city are linked to ag...