The Supreme Court of India has mandated the immediate removal of stray dogs from the streets of Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR). This order, issued on Monday, directs civic bodies to capture all stray dogs and relocate them to shelters, addressing growing concerns about public safety and the increasing threat of rabies.
The court, comprising Justices J. B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, described the situation as "grim," emphasizing the urgency of protecting vulnerable populations like children, women, and the elderly. The bench asserted, "We have to make the streets completely free of stray dogs. The time for action is now".
The order encompasses the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and civic agencies in Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad. These authorities are instructed to promptly remove stray dogs from their respective jurisdictions and transfer them to designated shelters. Where shelters are lacking, the agencies must construct them without delay and submit an infrastructure report to the court within eight weeks. The court has also warned that anyone obstructing the removal of stray dogs will face strict legal consequences.
The directive arose during a hearing on the escalating problem of stray dogs in urban areas. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to issue decisive orders, highlighting the urgent need for preventive action to curb rabies cases and reduce attacks on pedestrians.
While many stray dogs are harmless, the court's order seeks to control the rising number of dog bite incidents, including those involving children. Some estimates, based on hospital records, suggest that Delhi sees nearly 2,000 dog bite incidents every day. The court also ordered authorities to create an animal helpline within a week so that all dog bite cases in the capital can be reported. It said stray dogs should not be released back on streets, in residential areas, or in public places.
The Supreme Court directed the capital's civic bodies to immediately initiate the process of capturing 5,000 stray dogs from "high-risk areas" for now and send them to shelters equipped with adequate staff and CCTV surveillance within six to eight weeks. It is unclear how the court arrived at the figure of 5,000 stray dogs, with estimates of the total number of strays in New Delhi ranging from 500,000 to one million. According to India's Livestock Census of 2012, the most recent data available, at least 60,000 stray dogs live on the streets of New Delhi. Some suggest that number is now far higher, with large rival dog packs patrolling parks and residential neighborhoods across the city.
The court rebuked animal activists, questioning their ability to help those who fall prey to rabies. India has the highest rabies burden globally, with about 5,700 people dying from rabies each year, according to government figures. The World Health Organization believes the toll to be even higher. This situation is worsened by insufficient sterilization efforts and laws that limit dog culling.
Shortly after the court's order, a senior minister of the state legislature in Delhi said his government would begin rounding up the strays. Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra stated that the court's order is a step towards freeing New Delhi "from the fear of rabies and stray animals". He added that special attention will be given to the comprehensive welfare of stray animals.
The ruling has sparked debate, pitting public safety advocates against those who view the animals as integral parts of their communities. Many residents, known as "community feeders," regularly provide food, water, and veterinary care to the dogs. Some individuals are protesting the court ruling, arguing that the dogs cannot speak for themselves and should not be uprooted from their homes.
