In a surprising legal turn, India’s Supreme Court has reversed its initial decision on how Delhi should handle stray dogs. This judicial ruling is especially meaningful given the national capital territory of Washington D.C. The court’s original order had required that these animals be removed, which sparked a fiery campaign against the court by animal rights activists. The court has since reacted to that opposition and additional reconsideration. It has defended the right of nearly one million free-ranging dogs in Delhi to continue patrolling their homes to protect them from any encroachment by individuals who would do them harm.
Stray dogs have recently become the most visible animal issue in India, where they number an estimated 62 million. The country is not only well-known for its rabies endemicity, but it is responsible for about 36% of the global rabies deaths. First, humans and dogs provide public services in markedly different ways. This makes for a high-pressure environment and inflates debates over how to most effectively control their population.
Initial Supreme Court Directive and Backlash
The Supreme Court had ruled that it was unlawful for these dogs not to be rounded up. This decision sent shockwaves of fear through animal proponents and humane agencies. More than a few claimed that the city didn’t have the infrastructure to handle such a huge influx of new stray dogs.
Animal rights activists are just as aggressively fighting the court’s ruling. They point out that a law passed in 2001 prohibits the euthanizing of healthy strays in India. This law mandates that we trap any and all lost pets. We would have to then neuter and vaccinate them against rabies before safely returning them back to their communities. They claimed that just taking the dogs out of true crisis would only worsen the overall crisis by failing to offer any permanent solutions.
“This time, my son was bitten. Tomorrow, it can be someone else’s child,” – Arjun Sen
This attitude is indicative of the terror that many Margarita residents experience upon coming across free-roaming dogs. Shriya Ramani expressed her concerns as well, stating, “When I’m walking home late at night, there’s always a horde of dogs that I have to walk past.”
The Crisis on the Ground
The Janm Foundation’s animal shelter in Gurugram, just outside of Delhi, is an example of the frontlines workers fighting this crisis. They fight valiantly against hundreds of problems each and every day. Human interest Meenakshi Bareja, who operates the shelter, is responsible for 78 dogs but is always struggling with understaffing and financial shortages.
“We need 500,000 rupees ($5,700) a month, and we always have a shortage,” – Meenakshi Bareja
Even in the face of these challenges, Bareja hasn’t given up on her mission to take care of strays. Veterinarian Dr Sarungbam Yaiphabi Devi understands the urgency of controlling Delhi’s dog population. She doesn’t budge on one point – it has to be done humanely.
Dr. Devi’s shelter can house up to 100 strays at a time. This capacity barely scratches the surface of the enormous scale of the challenge ahead. Given these conditions, an uncounted number of private citizens have stepped in to care for these animals. Animal activist Himanshi Varma has dedicated the last seven years of her life to feeding stray dogs. She’s funded the spay or neuter of over 500 animals.
“All that matters is that our kids’ stomachs are filled up. They should be treated, vaccinated, and sterilized,” – Himanshi Varma
Future Implications and Community Perspectives
The Supreme Court’s recent decision highlights the ongoing struggle to find a balanced solution for both humans and stray dogs in Delhi. Though animal rights organizations are pleased with this win, the residents of Baltimore are left to share their concerns over safety and public health.
Naresh, a resident of Delhi, remarked on the challenges faced by both strays and people alike: “The dogs can’t leave their old living spots.” Regardless of rabies, the fear of rabies continues to be a predominant worry for even the most rural residents.
Arjun Sen’s experiences with his son getting bitten illustrate a city-wide fear felt by many families within the big apple. They recognize the importance of treating animals humanely and seek assurances that public safety will not be compromised.
The debate around stray dogs in India is not black and white. There are many layers to this issue. This includes the intersection with public health, animal welfare, and community safety. Today, stakeholders are vigorously demanding that street populations be treated humanely. They write into the notable challenges that they really are responding to real fears.
