LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-Amid a mounting public health crisis, India’s Supreme Court has ordered a major crackdown on Delhi’s stray dog population following an alarming rise in dog bites and rabies cases.
The country’s highest court directed local authorities to remove tens of thousands of stray dogs from the capital and its satellite cities, calling the situation a serious threat to public safety, particularly for children and the elderly, who are most at risk from attacks.
Delhi, home to over 30 million people, has seen a disturbing rise in aggressive stray dog behavior, with city streets, parks, and residential neighborhoods now dominated by large rival dog packs.
According to the 2012 Livestock Census which is the most recent available data, there are at least 60,000 stray dogs on Delhi’s streets, though experts believe the real number is now significantly higher.
According to the World Health Organization, the South Asian country has one of the highest rates of rabies-related deaths in the world, accounting for more than a third of all global fatalities.
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Experts cite poor sterilization programs, weak enforcement of pet ownership laws, and legal barriers to canine culling as key contributors to the crisis.
In a strongly worded statement, the court emphasized that “not a single stray dog should be released” once captured and that shelters must be built within eight weeks to house them.
Daily records of captured dogs are to be maintained, and the court ordered the creation of a 24-hour helpline for reporting dog bites. Authorities must also publicize locations where anti-rabies vaccines are available to the public.
Data submitted to Parliament revealed over 3.7 million dog bite cases and 54 suspected rabies deaths in 2024 alone. However, independent health researchers suggest the true figures may be nearly double, with Delhi reportedly seeing up to 2,000 dog bite incidents daily.
Despite these risks, many Delhi residents form emotional bonds with stray dogs in their communities, often feeding them or dressing them in jackets during colder months.
But public health officials warn that without immediate, large-scale intervention, these relationships can become dangerous, especially as media reports of children being mauled by strays continue to emerge.
The court also issued a stern warning to animal activists, stating that obstruction of the removal process will face legal consequences.
With rabies still claiming lives and dog bite cases surging to crisis levels, India is now being forced to confront the harsh reality of a public health emergency long in the making.
