On August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of India made a major decision. All stray dogs must be removed from the streets of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) within eight weeks and placed in shelters. They will never be released back into public areas. This decision followed reports of children dying from rabies and numerous dog-bite incidents. The Court took action to address these urgent concerns.
Justice J B Pardiwala, who delivered the ruling, described the current Animal Birth Control (ABC) approach as “absurd.” He pointed out that sterilization alone doesn’t stop rabies or prevent aggressive dogs from attacking. The Court emphasized the need for immediate action to ensure no stray dog roams freely, stating that public safety must be the priority.
To ensure compliance, the Court set strict rules:
– Build shelters for at least 5,000 dogs within six to eight weeks.
– Provide 24-hour veterinary care, food, clean housing, and staff to monitor the animals.
– Create a helpline for reporting dog bites.
– Impose legal penalties for anyone obstructing the process.
Why the Order Was Taken: A Matter of Public Safety
Authorities and the Court highlighted concerning statistics. Nearly 2,000 dog bites happen daily in New Delhi alone. Overall, India sees over 37 lakh (3.7 million) dog bites each year, resulting in thousands of deaths from rabies annually. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reports that around 5,700 people die from rabies every year, most of them children. Justice Pardiwala stressed that no child’s life should be at risk due to ineffective animal control measures.
The Solicitor General informed the Court that sterilization does not prevent rabid dogs from harming people. He stated that public safety must come before the rights of street dogs. The Court criticized civic authorities for years of inaction, pointing out poor implementation of sterilization and vaccination programs.
Why Many People Are Objecting
Despite the focus on safety, the directive has faced strong opposition from animal welfare groups, legal experts, and public figures.
Conflict with ABC Rules
The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 require that stray dogs be sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to their territories. This method is supported by science and has been upheld in previous Supreme Court rulings. Critics argue that the new directive contradicts established law and risks creating a precedent that ignores animal rights.
Practical and Humane Concerns
Delhi and NCR have an estimated 500,000 to 1 million stray dogs, but shelter capacity is very limited. Activists warn that mass removals could overcrowd facilities, spread diseases, and even lead to culling. They argue that forcibly removing community dogs disrupts local ecosystems. Dogs often deter other packs and help control rodent populations.
Public Protests
Protests have occurred in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi. Activists call this move a “death sentence” for dogs. Many want better sterilization and vaccination efforts along with public awareness campaigns instead of mass removals. Celebrities like Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Raveena Tandon have expressed their opposition, urging compassion and adoption efforts.
Why India Has So Many Stray Dogs
India’s stray dog population, estimated at over 60 million, is the largest in the world. Several factors contribute to this:
– Poor Waste Management: Overflowing garbage bins and open dumps provide a lot of food, helping stray populations grow.
– Incomplete Sterilization Programs: Inconsistent sterilization drives often lack funding, skilled workers, or follow-up, allowing populations to bounce back.
– Cultural Tolerance: Local residents often feed dogs out of compassion, which supports their survival even when municipal measures fail.
– Legal Protection Without Enforcement: Although laws prevent the indiscriminate killing of stray dogs, weak enforcement of ABC rules and municipal responsibilities has allowed numbers to increase unchecked.
– Urban Growth: Expanding cities bring dogs into closer contact with humans, leading to more conflicts.
How Other Countries Handle Stray Dogs
Countries worldwide have different approaches, often influenced by public health priorities and cultural attitudes:
– United States & Canada: Most cities have animal control units that capture strays and take them to shelters. If animals are not claimed or adopted after a set period, usually 3 to 7 days, they may be euthanized; however, many cities are moving toward “no-kill” policies.
– European Union: Countries like Germany and the Netherlands maintain near-zero stray populations through strict pet registration laws, mandatory microchipping, heavy fines for abandonment, and aggressive sterilization programs.
– Australia: Local councils enforce strict ownership laws. Unregistered dogs are impounded, and their owners face penalties. Community education and adoption programs are significant.
– Thailand & Sri Lanka: Similar to India, these countries have large street-dog populations but use sterilization-vaccination-return models. Better coordination between NGOs and government agencies has led to improved control.
– China: Some cities set limits on the number and size of dogs per household, and unregistered dogs may be confiscated.
These examples show that effective stray-dog control usually combines law, public education, strict pet ownership rules, and ongoing sterilization—not just mass removal.
Balancing Safety and Compassion
The Supreme Court’s decision is driven by the urgent need to protect human life, especially that of children, from preventable harm and deaths. However, opponents argue that sudden large-scale removals could lead to animal suffering, legal violations, and public unrest.
India’s problem is unique. The enormous stray population, coupled with poor waste management and underfunded sterilization programs, means that no single solution will fix the issue overnight. Experts suggest a mixed model that strengthens ABC programs, enforces pet ownership laws, improves waste management, and builds enough shelters that could address both safety and welfare.
As the country waits for the Court’s final decision, the debate raises an important question: Can India protect its citizens without losing its compassion for animals? The answer will shape not only the future of street dogs but also the nation’s moral and legal stance on human-animal coexistence.
