Delhi's Stray Dog Management: Supreme Court's Ruling Sparks Euthanasia Plans
MCD's New Approach to Stray Dog Safety
New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to initiate euthanasia for aggressive and dangerously behaving stray dogs, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that emphasizes human safety.
A senior official from the MCD indicated that a review meeting, led by Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar, is scheduled for Thursday to outline the next steps and evaluate the necessary infrastructure for managing stray dog populations and shelters throughout the city.
In a ruling issued on Tuesday, the Supreme Court stated that when balancing human safety against the welfare of animals, the priority must favor the protection of human life.
The court clarified that authorities are permitted to take legally acceptable actions, including euthanasia, for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably aggressive dogs, following assessments by qualified veterinary professionals and in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.
Officials noted that the MCD plans to implement a systematic approach before making any euthanasia decisions, which will include forming a monitoring committee with representatives from both the MCD and the Delhi government's animal husbandry department, as per the Supreme Court's guidance.
A senior MCD official emphasized that a report of a dog bite does not automatically lead to immediate euthanasia.
Dogs identified as aggressive or involved in multiple biting incidents will first be taken to an ABC center for a 10-day observation period.
The official explained that aggressive behavior in stray dogs can arise from various factors, such as anxiety from injuries, chronic health issues, worm infestations, impaired vision, or protective instincts in recently whelped female dogs.
As part of the proposed protocol, sedatives may be administered for a duration of 10 to 14 days to calm the dogs and evaluate any behavioral changes.
The circumstances surrounding any biting incidents will also be assessed. If a dog continues to exhibit aggressive behavior despite treatment and observation, euthanasia may be performed in the presence of two veterinarians.
According to the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, dogs that are incurably ill or severely injured, as determined by a team from the Local Animal Birth Control Monitoring Committee, may be humanely euthanized by a qualified veterinarian using intravenous sodium pentobarbital or another approved method.
Officials also mentioned that dogs suspected of rabies will be monitored, as rabid dogs typically succumb within 10 days. This observation period is crucial for assessing their condition.
On Tuesday, the MCD announced an increase in sterilization efforts as part of its comprehensive strategy for managing stray dogs. Official statistics reveal that 101,394 dogs were sterilized between April 2025 and March 2026.
Additionally, officials plan to request land from the Delhi government to establish dog shelters in each city zone, adhering to the Supreme Court's directives.
To expedite the establishment of these shelters, the corporation is considering implementing some projects under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
However, officials acknowledged that several projects related to dog shelters and ABC centers have faced delays due to interdepartmental conflicts and funding release issues.
In the 2024-25 budget, funds for the Rohini and Usmanpur ABC centers were allocated together to the engineering department, but work has yet to commence.
The Supreme Court has also instructed authorities to enhance preventive measures, particularly in institutional areas like schools, hospitals, railway stations, and sports complexes, where dog bite incidents have surged.
MCD officials stated that the court's directives have clarified the process for relocating stray dogs from sensitive public areas.