A first-of-its-kind initiative in India, Shimla Municipal Corporation is digitally tagging stray dogs with GPS-enabled QR code collars while conducting a large-scale anti-rabies vaccination and sterilisation drive.
Shimla, August 23: In a historic move blending technology with animal welfare, the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) has rolled out a pioneering initiative to fit stray dogs in the city with GPS-enabled collars carrying QR codes. These collars will digitally record each dog’s location, vaccination status, and other vital details, making Shimla the first city in India to attempt such a large-scale digital census of strays.
The initiative comes alongside an ongoing anti-rabies vaccination campaign, aimed at reducing fatalities and enhancing public safety in the hill town, which has long struggled with its growing stray dog population.
Mayor Surinder Chauhan explained the purpose behind the move:
“Our vaccination and sterilisation drives have been ongoing, but often dog-bite cases would only be linked to rabies after it was too late. So far, we’ve vaccinated over 2,000 dogs and fitted them with QR code collars that reveal their position and vaccination status when scanned. Aggressive dogs will carry a red tag so they can be handled separately. We’re also educating the public, involving NGOs, and preparing for a massive sterilisation drive.”
He further revealed that several organisations from Goa, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Patiala, and Himachal Pradesh’s Rampur have joined the programme. “This will also create India’s first official digital dog census, with the Chief Minister scheduled to formally conclude the programme,” Chauhan added.
Public Concerns and Safety Issues
While the move has been welcomed by many, local residents continue to voice concerns. Pradeep Kumar, a resident, expressed worry about rising dog-bite incidents:
“Children are at constant risk. Walking freely in this beautiful city is becoming difficult. Collars are a good idea, but the rollout needs to be faster. Authorities should publish the exact count of stray dogs so that people are aware. Strict accountability is needed, and negligent officials must be held responsible. Tourists often fall victim to bites without realizing the danger.”
Support from Lawmakers
Shimla MLA Harish Janartha acknowledged the seriousness of the problem, noting that the city reports 2–3 dog-bite cases daily, sometimes up to four. He praised the Municipal Corporation’s efforts, saying:
“For years, attempts to act on stray dogs faced objections from NGOs or courts. This time, we began with vaccinations and sterilisation drives. Currently, Shimla has around 4,000–4,500 stray dogs across 34 wards. As of today, 2,011 dogs have been vaccinated and fitted with GPS-linked QR code collars. This data will help in monitoring and identifying aggressive strays.”
He added that feeding zones for dogs have now been designated, and feeding them elsewhere would be considered an offence to avoid dangerous concentrations in public areas. If successful, this model may soon be expanded to other urban and semi-urban regions across Himachal Pradesh.
What’s Next?
The campaign, which began on August 15 and runs until August 29, is currently in its first phase of vaccination and marking. The second phase will expand collar installations and intensify sterilisation efforts.
For now, Shimla stands at the forefront of a unique experiment – one that could balance public safety, animal welfare, and technology while setting an example for cities across India.