Delhi faces an unprecedented challenge as the Supreme Court orders the removal and sheltering of 10 lakh stray dogs within eight weeks. [Photo: Pixabay]
Delhi is staring at its biggest animal control challenge. The Supreme Court has ordered the removal of an estimated 10 lakh stray dogs from the city and its NCR areas within eight weeks. Civic bodies must sterilise, vaccinate, and permanently move the dogs to shelters. Residents’ groups support the move for safer streets.
But animal rights activists have raised alarms about space, costs, and animal welfare. The plan is set to test the city’s capacity, coordination, and compassion in equal measure.
Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh confirmed that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will act in phases. The first focus will be on dogs infected with rabies or prone to biting. Twenty sterilisation centres will be converted into shelters. NGOs will manage operations.
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A court-directed helpline will also be launched. Singh said agencies across Delhi-NCR will meet to create dog-free zones and expand sterilisation programmes. A subcommittee will draft shelter policies with input from experts and legal professionals.
Delhi’s political leadership is backing the order but promises humane treatment. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has approved all measures for public welfare.
Minister Kapil Mishra stressed that the plan will be time-bound and compassionate. He said the move will remove existing hurdles in managing stray populations while keeping humanity in mind.
Animal rights veteran Maneka Gandhi has called the directive “impractical” and “financially unviable.” She estimates the project could cost Rs 15,000 crore, plus Rs 5 crore a week for feeding. PETA India says sheltering 10 lakh dogs is impossible without risking overcrowding, starvation, and disease.
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FIAPO’s CEO Bharati Ramachandran suggests scaling up sterilisation, improving waste management, and running public awareness campaigns instead. Activists also warn that the plan violates the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which mandate returning sterilised dogs to their original locations.
The Supreme Court’s order stems from a surge in fatal dog-bite cases, including the deaths of a two-year-old in Tughlaq Lane and a six-year-old in Rohini. But the challenge is not just legal compliance. It is about readiness.
Without adequate shelter capacity, trained staff, veterinary care, and strong monitoring, Delhi could face overcrowded facilities, public protests, and possible disease outbreaks. The deadline leaves little margin for building infrastructure from scratch.
This is not just a stray dog removal mission. It is a test of Delhi’s ability to manage urban animal-human conflict through law, policy, and empathy. If the city fails, it risks replacing one crisis with another — and setting a troubling precedent for animal management in India.
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