Delhi has nearly 10 lakh stray dogs but no state-run shelters, posing major challenges for civic bodies in implementing the Supreme Court’s recent relocation order effectively.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court’s recent directive to civic bodies in Delhi-NCR to relocate all stray dogs from residential neighbourhoods to shelters has led to a heated public debate. While some hail the move as a necessary step to curb rising cases of dog bites and rabies, others, including animal rights activists, have slammed it as inhumane, impractical, and unscientific.
Number of Stray Dogs in Delhi
According to Delhi’s last official dog census in 2009, there were 5.6 lakh stray dogs in the city. Sixteen years later, estimates place the number closer to 10 lakh.
If each shelter were to house 500 dogs, Delhi would need at least 2,000 shelters. However, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) currently operates just 20 animal control centres, facilities meant for short-term care after sterilisation and release, not for permanent housing. Even if converted, these centres could accommodate no more than 5,000 dogs, barely 5% of the total.
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Where are the Shelters
The court has ordered civic bodies to update on shelter arrangements within eight weeks, but land allocation, construction, and funding are major roadblocks.
MCD’s Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma admitted that building such facilities will take time. And shelters must be located away from residential areas, adding another complexity.
Challenges in Catching & Feeding
Even if shelters are ready, rounding up all strays is easier said than done. The MCD has just 2-3 dog-catching vans per zone, with limited trained handlers. Animal lovers and activists are also expected to resist relocation drives, which could lead to tense confrontations in neighbourhoods.
Feeding 10 lakh dogs daily would require hundreds of crores annually, along with:
- Veterinary doctors
- Animal ambulances
- CCTV surveillance
- Salaries for shelter staff
Stray Dog Problems
This year, Delhi has recorded 26,000 dog bite incidents by July 31, alongside 49 confirmed cases of rabies. Between January and June alone, over 65,000 stray dogs have been sterilised and vaccinated, reflecting ongoing but insufficient efforts to control the city’s growing stray population.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice JD Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan, stressed that the order is for public welfare, not sentiment. “Will animal activists bring back those who have died of rabies?” the bench asked, pushing for urgent action.
Animal Rights Groups
PETA India and other animal welfare bodies argue that forced displacement is cruel and ineffective.
Their key points:
- Relocation doesn’t solve overpopulation—dogs often return to their territories.
- Displacement can lead to starvation, fights, and stress among animals.
- The real issue is the failure to enforce large-scale sterilisation programmes.
PETA’s statement warns that relocation will cause public uproar without achieving its intended goals. Instead, they advocate mass sterilisation, vaccination drives, and community engagement as the sustainable solution.
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