Delhi’s stray dog population is estimated at around one million, with neighbouring cities Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram also seeing increases, municipal sources report.
The court said action was needed to ensure infants and young children could move freely without fear of attack.
5,000 dogs to go into shelters
Officials have been instructed to set up multiple shelters across the region, each housing at least 5,000 dogs with sterilisation and vaccination facilities.
CCTV monitoring and a helpline for dog bites and rabies cases are also to be implemented within a week. Sterilised dogs must not be returned to public areas, contrary to current rules.
3.7 million dog bites in 2024
Animal welfare groups have warned the timeline is unrealistic. “Most cities do not have even 1% of the capacity needed to rehabilitate stray dogs safely,” said Nilesh Bhanage of PAWS. He urged authorities to focus on vaccination, sterilisation, and waste management instead.
Government data shows 3.7 million dog bites were reported nationwide in 2024, while the World Health Organization estimates rabies causes 18,000–20,000 deaths annually in India.
