In a landmark directive aimed at tackling the alarming rise in dog bite incidents, the Supreme Court of India on Monday ordered the removal of thousands of stray dogs from New Delhi’s streets. Authorities have been instructed to capture 5,000 dogs from “high-risk areas” within six to eight weeks, sterilize them, and relocate them to shelters.
The move comes as hospital records indicate that the capital is witnessing nearly 2,000 dog bite cases every day, a situation the court described as “extremely grim.” The legal case was triggered after several reports of stray dogs attacking children surfaced, sparking public outrage.
Official data on the number of stray dogs in Delhi is outdated — the last government estimate in 2013 pegged the figure at 60,000, but recent projections suggest the number could now be closer to one million. While many of these dogs are harmless, the court stressed that “infants and young children should not at any cost fall prey to stray dogs.”
As part of the order, the court also directed the setting up of a 24-hour helpline to report dog bites and asked officials to publicize locations where anti-rabies vaccines are available.
Rabies Concerns and Public Safety
India accounts for more than one-third of global rabies deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Rabies, once symptomatic, is almost always fatal, making prevention through vaccination and bite management critical.
Kapil Mishra, a Delhi government minister, welcomed the ruling, calling it a step toward freeing the capital “from the fear of rabies and stray animals.” He also assured that comprehensive welfare measures for stray animals would be part of the plan.
Criticism from Conservationists and Animal Welfare Groups
The court’s decision, however, has faced backlash from conservationists and animal rights activists, who question the feasibility and ethics of removing such large numbers of dogs.
“Where are the shelters to house thousands of dogs?” asked conservation biologist Bahar Dutt, calling the order an “impractical, unscientific move.”
Vidit Sharma, founder of the animal welfare group Save A Stray, emphasized that the focus should be on mass vaccination and sterilization rather than removal.
The Supreme Court, while acknowledging such concerns, cautioned animal activists against obstructing the implementation of the order, underscoring the urgency of addressing the public health crisis.
With both sides — public safety advocates and animal welfare supporters — standing firm, the next few weeks will test whether authorities can strike a balance between protecting citizens and ensuring humane treatment of Delhi’s street dogs.
