Days after an order by India's top court brought the issue of stray dogs in Delhi into the spotlight, tensions have risen in the city. Animal lovers say they face hostility and sometimes even violence for taking care of strays, while people who believe dogs should be off the streets argue they can be aggressive and dangerous.
Megha Malhotra has been feeding stray dogs in her residential complex for almost two years. Every evening, she places food at a temporary feeding spot near her building's exit gate. I enjoy taking care of them and feeding them, she says. But in recent weeks, she has sensed growing unease among residents every time she puts out the food. Some have even confronted her, insisting she stop feeding the animals, she says.
Such confrontations are becoming frequent in Delhi as civic authorities grapple with a fast-growing population of stray dogs. Those who feed dogs do it out of compassion, and those who oppose it cite an increasing number of dog bites and attacks, some of which have also been fatal.
The recent Supreme Court ruling has reignited a polarising debate: How should India manage its stray dog population in densely populated cities? The court directed that dogs must be caught, vaccinated, sterilised, and returned to their neighbourhood, but it banned feeding strays in public spaces and asked civic authorities to designate specific areas where dogs can be fed.
Long-time dog caregivers allege they are facing harassment, assaults, and threats, often from neighbours who now believe feeding strays is illegal. In instances where residents have tried to scare away the dogs from feeding spots, fears about aggressive behavior loom large.
Stray dogs are a familiar presence across Indian cities, particularly in Delhi, which is estimated to have almost a million stray dogs. While many are not considered feral and live among people as community animals, a rising number of residents express concerns over dog bites and compromised safety.
Government data shows that there were 3.7 million reported cases of dog bites in India in 2024, with over 25,000 reported from Delhi alone. Despite having many stray dogs, India lacks a comprehensive management policy beyond the Animal Birth Control program, aimed at reducing aggression through sterilisation and vaccination.
While municipal officials are reportedly working to identify feeding locations in accordance with the court ruling, animal rights activists stress the need for appropriate care and management. Activists argue that feeders play a critical role in the long-term solution, helping to control the stray population and reduce the risk of rabies.
The conversation around stray dogs contrasts compassion with fear, with both sides urging for more awareness and responsible coexistence. As urban living continues to evolve, the challenge remains to find common ground on how to address the presence and care of stray dogs in cities like Delhi.
