Ghaziabad Residents Demand Relief from Stray Dog Menace; Former Union Minister Vijay Goel Vows Nationwide Movement
Ghaziabad (NCR) — A residents’ gathering at Nilaya Greens’ common club turned into a strong call for action against the growing stray dog menace. The meeting, attended by former Union Minister Vijay Goel as the chief guest, highlighted the rising fear, injuries, and disputes linked to the unchecked population of stray dogs in Ghaziabad and across the country.
Linking himself personally to the issue, Goel described it as a “serious and nationwide crisis” that has already taken on life-threatening proportions. He announced plans to escalate the matter at the national level, even hinting at a massive rally at Delhi’s iconic Ramlila Maidan. Drawing parallels with his past success in persuading the government to ban lotteries during the Vajpayee era, Goel asserted that “with collective will, the government can be compelled to act decisively.”
The former minister pointed out that the Supreme Court has already taken a stern view on the matter, which strengthens the chances of getting concrete action. “If we remain determined, stray dogs will no longer terrorize our neighborhoods,” he declared.
Residents Voice Their Anguish
Before Goel’s address, around a dozen residents from Nilaya Greens and nearby societies shared their harrowing experiences: increasing dog attacks on children and the elderly, unhygienic conditions, and frequent altercations between residents and dog feeders. Ashwini Jaiswal, a socially active local, recalled the recent case of Mukul’s daughter being bitten by a stray. He added that municipal officials had assured action to relocate stray dogs to safe facilities once the relevant law is implemented.
United Call for Collective Action
Saurabh Gandhi, General Secretary of United Residents of Delhi, who accompanied Goel, emphasized both the legal and social dimensions of the crisis. He urged people to stand united if they truly wanted results. Gandhi also raised concerns about the role of certain NGOs and alleged profiteering by what he called the “medical mafia.” He cited figures showing that in Delhi alone, stray dogs bite nearly 2,000 people every month, while nationwide, close to 3.3 million people fall victim to dog bites annually.
Goel, too, did not shy away from calling out the vaccine business. “India tops the world in dog bite cases. The more dogs bite, the more anti-rabies vaccines get sold,” he remarked, drawing loud applause. With anecdotes and humor woven into his speech, Goel kept the audience engaged and promised to write to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the matter.
“Beyond the cliché that ‘dogs are loyal,’ there is little justification to ignore the danger they pose. The time has come for protests and demonstrations. Without agitation, nothing will move. I stand with you in this fight,” Goel declared.
Demands Raised at the Forum
Participants not only demanded stricter control of stray dog populations and accountability of NGOs managing shelters, but also urged investigations into alleged irregularities in their functioning. Residents further drew Goel’s attention to civic issues such as the crumbling “Hum-Tum Road,” riddled with potholes, which has compounded local frustrations.
The meeting, organized with active involvement from residents including Shivam Parashar, Chandan Chaubey, Monika, and Vivek Arora (Vicky), resonated with strong slogans of support for Goel. Attendees even escorted him and his team to the exit gates amid chants of “Vijay Goel Zindabad.”
However, in an interesting twist, a self-proclaimed “dog lover” present at the venue complained to journalists that their perspective was not given enough space in the discussion.
