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India scales back plan to remove stray dogs from Delhi streets
India’s Supreme Court has scaled back an earlier order to remove all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi, a decision welcomed by animal welfare advocates.
The original plan required all strays in the capital region to be confined to shelters after sterilization and vaccination, with the aim of reducing dog attacks and rabies, which remains a public health concern in India. Critics argued that the plan was impractical, citing the cost of shelters and the risk of harming the dogs.
In its revised ruling, the court suspended the “catch-and-keep” approach and recommended a more holistic strategy. Dogs should be sterilized, vaccinated, dewormed, and returned to their neighborhoods, with only aggressive or rabid animals confined to shelters. Municipal authorities have also been instructed to set up safe feeding areas to monitor the health of the dogs and reduce conflicts with residents.
Delhi’s street dogs, known locally as “community dogs,” are integrated into daily life, often cared for by shopkeepers, families, and the homeless. While India still faces a significant public health challenge from rabies, many residents value the dogs for their companionship and security.
Animal rights groups and politicians have praised the decision, noting that it balances public safety with compassion for animals, reflecting the city’s longstanding cultural and social ties to its stray dogs.