The Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has expressed serious concern over rising incidents of stray dog attacks on children in the state. The commission has directed officials to conduct a stray dog count across all cities and take swift action to sterilize them under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Stray dog attacks alarm Punjab Chairman Kanwardeep Singh stated that the commission has taken suo moto cognizance of multiple reports of children being bitten by stray dogs. A particularly tragic incident occurred in Hasanpur village near Ludhiana, where two children lost their lives to dog attacks within a week. Similar incidents have been reported in Mohali, Zirakpur, Amritsar, Machhiwara Sahib, and Nabha, raising alarm across the state. Immediate action ordered In response to these incidents, Singh has written to the administrative secretaries of local bodies and the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, urging them to act promptly. Officials have been instructed to control the stray dog population through sterilization measures as outlined in the Animal Birth Control Rules issued by the Government of India in March 2023. Focus on child safety The commission stressed that curbing the stray dog population is essential to prevent further attacks on children. Officials have been urged to prioritise this issue and ensure timely implementation of sterilisation programs to protect children from future harm.Original Article