This could become a reality in the future, after India's Supreme Court instructed the authorities in New Delhi to remove all stray dogs from the streets, sterilise them, and place them permanently in animal shelters.
In its order, the Supreme Court directed the capital's municipal authorities to immediately begin catching 5’000 stray dogs from "high-risk areas" and to bring them to animal shelters equipped with sufficient staff and CCTV surveillance within six to eight weeks.
It is unclear how the court arrived at the figure of 5,000 stray dogs. Various estimates suggest there are between 500’000 and one million strays in New Delhi.
Although many of the dogs roaming the streets of New Delhi are harmless, the court's order aims to curb the rising number of dog bites, including cases involving children. Some estimates based on hospital records suggest that nearly 2’000 dog bites occur in New Delhi every day.
“The situation is extremely grim,” the court stated in its order, adding that it was issued “taking into account the overriding public interest.”
The court also directed the authorities to set up an animal helpline within one week so that all dog bite cases in the capital can be reported. It stated that any person or organisation obstructing the authorities from removing stray dogs from the streets would face “strict” legal consequences, and added that the strays must not be released back onto the streets, into residential areas, or in public places.
Animal lovers and activists had previously spoken out against the court taking up the case. On Monday, the court also reprimanded them.
"All these animal activists … will they be able to bring back those who fell victim to rabies?" the court asked.
Rabies from dog bites is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. Left untreated, it is almost always fatal.
Shortly after the court's order, a senior minister of the state legislature in Delhi declared that his government would begin rounding up strays. Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra said the court's order was a step toward freeing New Delhi "from the fear of rabies and stray animals".
"Special attention will also be paid to the comprehensive welfare of stray animals," Mishra stated in a post on X.
