Why is it in News?
On August 11, the Supreme Court directed Delhi & its satellite towns to collect all street dogs within 8 weeks, confine them permanently in pounds, and expand shelter capacity urgently.
Aim: Address 30,000 dog bite cases annually in Delhi & high rabies deaths.
The Legal Conflict
Animal Birth Control (Rules), 2023: Capture, neuter (sterlization), vaccinate, release.
SC Order: Permanent confinement, euthanasia for incurably ill or dangerous dogs.
Problem: Returning sterilised dogs keep packs in high-density areas; sterilisation coverage rarely crosses 70%, leading to population rebound.
Challenges
Legal Risks: Municipal officers could face contempt of court for violating Rules.
Infrastructure Gap: Inadequate shelters, veterinary staff, and sterilisation teams.
Ideological Divide: Some view confinement as cruelty, ignoring urban density & public safety.
Way Forward
New Statute – Differentiate between:
• Sociable dogs (rehoming)
• Aggressive/chronically ill (euthanasia)
• Healthy dogs (shelters, not streets)
Urban Local Body Reforms – Mandate minimum staffing, veterinary standards, & link funding to reduced bites/rabies.
Funding Support – From National Centre for Disease Control for shelters & sterilisation drives.
Veterinary Education Reform – Add shelter medicine to curriculum.
