By Abhinisha Ramasaamy
Several animal rights activists were detained by Delhi Police after protesting against a recent Supreme Court order regarding stray dogs. The order has sparked nationwide debate, with many fearing it could lead to large-scale killing of stray dogs instead of humane, scientific population control methods.
The protestors, many of whom feed and care for community dogs, demanded that the government implement sterilization and vaccination programs rather than resort to culling. One activist movingly declared, “Wo hamara bacha hai” (“They are our children”), reflecting the deep emotional bond they share with these animals.
Ashokraj, founder of the Pondicherry-based NGO Voice4Voiceless, said:
“ABC law is meant to protect, regulate, and manage India’s street dogs. But the Supreme Court’s order goes against this law. If the Court itself does not uphold the Constitution, how can it expect citizens to? We see people dying due to alcohol consumption—does the Court take decisions to ban alcohol? Then why this harsh directive against dogs? As human beings, who are we to take decisions against nature?”
Activists pointed to Goa’s success story, where the state was declared rabies-free after years of mass sterilization and vaccination programs. A protester noted, “Goa proved that public health and animal welfare can be achieved without killing dogs. Large-scale sterilization and vaccination reduced breeding, protected public health, and safeguarded animal lives.” (Source: Indian Express)
While the Supreme Court emphasized balancing human safety with animal welfare, activists fear local authorities may misuse the directive as a green signal to remove or even kill stray dogs. Many municipalities, critics warn, may choose the “quick fix” of culling instead of investing in long-term, sustainable solutions.
Veterinary experts highlight gaps in the Dog Birth Control Rules 2023, which mandate that sterilized stray dogs be released back into the same location.
“This leaves aggressive dogs in communities, prioritizing animal rights over public safety. We need amendments that allow permanent sheltering of sterilized dogs, expansion of ABC programs, large-scale vaccinations, better shelter infrastructure, and public education on timely PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). The government should also enforce solid waste management rules, as food waste from hotels fuels stray dog populations,” said a senior veterinary doctor with 20 years of experience.
Animal welfare groups argue that culling is not only inhumane but ineffective. Studies show that when dogs are killed in one area, new dogs migrate in, restarting the cycle of breeding and biting. This phenomenon, known as the “vacuum effect,” proves that culling does not provide a lasting solution.
A Tamil Nadu study (2022–2023) reported 8,06,239 dog bite cases in just two years, with an 18.1% rise from 2022 to 2023. Children under 10 accounted for 15.4% of victims. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) cost the state nearly ₹94 crores, while sterilizing half the estimated 12.97 lakh dogs would cost about ₹107 crores—a slightly higher figure, but one that promises long-term prevention and cost-effectiveness.
Delhi is estimated to have around one million stray dogs today. The last full census in 2009 counted 5.6 lakh dogs, while a partial South Delhi survey in 2016 estimated 1.89 lakh dogs. Despite alarming figures, there has been no consistent monitoring or city-wide sterilization program in nearly 15 years. Only now is the Municipal Corporation of Delhi planning a new census.
The crisis raises broader questions of governance. Why did authorities delay preventive action for nearly a decade? Could early intervention have prevented today’s scale of the problem? Critics argue that killing stray dogs may offer short-term political relief but ignores sustainable, humane solutions.
Activists insist that mass sterilization and vaccination are the only long-term solutions.
“This should not become a political fight between BJP and Congress. It is about life—voiceless, but not worthless. Schools and colleges must include awareness programs so the next generation grows up with compassion,” said Kannan, an animal welfare activist from Auroville.
Though small in scale, the Delhi protest reflects a growing demand for policies that balance human safety with compassion for animals. As activists emphasize, India must choose humane, science-based methods—just as Goa did—to ensure safer, healthier communities without resorting to violence against stray dogs.