DogExpress
In an attempt to reduce dog bites and track vaccination records, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation will install AI-powered microchips on stray dogs. The Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) approved this first-in-the-region project on Monday.
Chandigarh, while striving for a clean and green city, faces a complex issue with stray dogs. Though their population has dipped (12,922 in 2018 to 9,500 approx. in 2023), crediting the sterilization drive, dog bite incidents have doubled (5,365 in 2022 to 10,621 in 2023). This highlights the need for a multifaceted approach with stricter control measures.
Chandigarh Mayor Kuldeep Kumar emphasized the benefits of microchips for dogs in an interview. He explained, ‘We are currently introducing 1,000 microchips as part of a trial run, and these chips would enable authorities to monitor street dogs, providing complete information in case of a dog bite. This reassurance is part of our commitment to keeping our residents safe and informed.’
Anindita Mitra, the Municipal Commissioner, mentioned that the AI-powered software will assist in locating and sterilizing dogs. This will also aid in maintaining accurate documentation and in conducting a dog census. We can also determine if a contractor has completed the sterilization process.
Officials said that stray dog sightings can now be captured on the streets through artificial intelligence technology. One dog chip costs Rs 500, making the total cost for 1,000 chips approximately Rs 5 lakh.
Chandigarh has been struggling with the problem of stray dogs for many years, with multiple cases of dog attacks reported each year. Past actions involved sterilization and vaccination campaigns, while AI technology is being utilized for the first time.
Priya Gupta, a 28-year-old start-up employee, was chased by three aggressive dogs while riding a scooter last year. The incident resulted in serious injuries as stray dogs in her area are often fed in public spaces, making them linger and pose a threat to residents, especially at night.
Residents are optimistic that this program will significantly decrease the number of stray dog attacks and enhance public safety. Effective execution may be a blueprint for other cities encountering the same challenges.
Senior BJP councilor Mahesh Inder Singh Sidhu stated that the effectiveness of this process in dogs is uncertain. At the same time, Parvez Ahmed Peeran, former joint commissioner of BBMP, harshly criticized the project as a misuse of taxpayers’ funds when introduced in Bengaluru earlier this year. BBMP should allocate funds towards developing infrastructure instead of investing in a frivolous project. Peeran, who is currently advocating for animal welfare, said, “This will not have any positive outcomes.”
During the recent Lok Sabha elections, handling street dogs was a prominent concern among residents, who urged their potential MP to prioritize this issue. The mayor chaired the F&CC meeting on Monday, which was attended by Mitra and other members.
Despite the civic body’s efforts to conduct extensive sterilization, the city continues to face daily dog attacks. According to the last census, approximately 10,000 stray dogs were present in the city.
In less than two years, Rs 1.26 crore was spent sterilizing 7,412 street dogs. Of these, 4,923 were neutered at the ABC Centre in Sector 38 West, and 2,489 stray dogs were sterilized at ABC Centre Raipur Kalan. The cost of the operation for every dog was Rs 1,700 at both centers.
The attempt to sterilize stray dogs has been running since 2015 with the help of multiple NGOs and companies playing their part. SPCA Maharashtra, an NGO, sterilized 9,114 street dogs between April 2015 and June 2017. A company in MP sterilized 4,971 strays between August 2017 and September 2019. And from September 2020 to November 2021, 6271 dogs were sterilized. Summed up, a total of 28,218 stray dogs have been sterilized so far since 2015.
With all such efforts, dog bite cases have yet to be significantly controlled. The number of dog bite cases per year in 2015 and 2016 almost touched the 11,000 mark, similar to what it was in 2023. Though there was a decline in dog bites in the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, in 2023, we saw a terrifying surge in stray dog attacks.
Suralkar Vikas Kishor, BBMP’s special commissioner for health and animal husbandry, emphasized the increased importance of microchipping in response to activists’ calls for vaccinating stray dogs to prevent problems like multiple vaccinations or unvaccinated dogs. However, some animal rights advocates are also worried about the well-being of homeless dogs post-microchip implantation and the possibility of failed surgeries.
Before Chandigarh, Pune, Panaji, Jaipur, and Bengaluru also proposed implanting chips on their stray dogs. However, Pune pulled out due to a lack of funds, and Panaji and Bengaluru have yet to see any significant impact of microchipping their strays.
Activist Nevina Kamath highlighted that microchips are only allowed for pet dogs and breeder animals, warning that implanting them on strays in uncontrolled settings could result in health problems. Because microchips are foreign objects, when inserted into the dogs’ skin, the body may create a defense mechanism. It might be tissue expansion or a tumor. “All of these could lead to serious problems for the animals,” she mentioned.
Microchipping stray dogs can be a valuable tool; however, as many return to unhygienic street environments, it may lead to severe complications. Microchips should only be implanted in a clinical and sterile setting, not on the streets. Although Chandigarh’s effort is praiseworthy, it needs to tackle these issues to guarantee the animals’ welfare and the success of the program.
in Chandigarh, India. 
