Supreme Court’s Stray Dog Relocation Directive Sparks Debate; Experts Advocate Sterilisation Over Shelters

The Supreme Court’s (SC) directive to relocate all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR to shelters has upset animal activists. They argue that local municipal corporations, whether in Delhi or Mumbai, are responsible for controlling stray populations. Activists emphasise that sterilisation not relocation is the humane and sustainable solution. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) claims Mumbai’s stray dog numbers have remained stable over the past decade due to its effective sterilisation program.

Experts Highlight Challenges of Shelter Overcrowding and High Maintenance Costs

Roshan Pathak, animal rights advisor with PAL Foundation, said, “Keeping all dogs in shelters won’t work unless every city municipal corporation properly manages sterilisation to control the population. Many dogs remain unsterilised, so shelter numbers will rise. The responsibility lies with the civic officials, not the animals. Since the government funds vaccinations and sterilisation, municipal corporations must ensure proper care. Where is that money? The lack of effective sterilisation means animals continue to suffer.”

Political Leaders And Activist Reacting To SC Vedict

Sterilisation Units at Ward Level Proposed as Sustainable Solution

Sunish Subramanian, Secretary of the Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Mumbai, said, “Setting up shelter homes for all stray dogs is not practical even in Mumbai. The best solution is to establish sterilisation units at the ward level. If municipal corporations act swiftly, the problem can be effectively resolved.” Sandesh Kolapte, founder of the NGO Manuski (Humanity), said, “Placing stray dogs in shelters will only distress them many stop eating. Realistically, how many can be relocated, given the limited number of shelters and the high cost of infrastructure and maintenance? Instead of relocation, the BMC can strengthen and ground its sterilisation program for lasting impact.”

BMC Survey Shows Decline in Mumbai’s Stray Dogs Over Past Decade

Dr. Kalampasha Pathan, General Manager of the Veterinary Health Department and Deonar Abattoir, said, “Our focus on sterilisation has helped stabilise the stray dog population. In 2014, the count was 95,000; recent surveys show it has reduced to 90,000. In addition to sterilisation, parallel interventions such as public awareness about dog behaviour, mass rabies vaccination drives, and pet licensing are also being implemented."

Long-Term Impact of Sterilisation Evident in Population Control Data

A survey conducted in 2024, by the BMC in collaboration with Humane Society International/India (HSI) revealed that over the past 29 years, 4.3 lakh stray dogs have been sterilised in Mumbai, reducing the population from 95,172 to 90,757 in the last decade. Between 1994 and December 2023, the BMC sterilised 4,03,374 dogs—1,48,084 of them between 2014 and 2023, with the highest annual count in 2017 (24,290) and the lowest in 2015 (6,414). The average annual sterilisation rate stands at 14,808. The report also noted that 76% of sterilised dogs survived, while 24% died over the 29-year period.