On August 11, 2025, India’s Supreme Court issued a landmark order mandating that all stray dogs across Delhi NCR be removed from public spaces and relocated to shelters within eight weeks, with no re-release into their original territories. Reported by Reuters and The Times of India, the directive was prompted by a sharp rise in dog bite incidents and rabies cases, especially among children. Delhi alone recorded over 35,000 animal bite cases and 49 rabies infections in the first half of 2025, while nationwide figures for January reached nearly 430,000 dog bites. The Court emphasized that sterilization programs alone were failing to control rabies quickly enough, and urgent relocation was necessary to protect public safety.

What is the government trying to do?

Local civic bodies are scrambling to implement the order:

• The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) plans to capture 6,000 aggressive strays in six weeks as an initial step.
  
• In Gurgaon, the mismatch is alarming: 50,000 stray dogs but only 100 shelter slots. Authorities are seeking land and funds for rapid shelter expansion.
  
• Many Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers currently operate only as temporary care units post-surgery — converting them into long-term shelters could only house a fraction of Delhi’s estimated 10 lakh+ strays.
  
• Experts warn of infrastructure shortages, manpower gaps, incomplete population data, and a lack of long-term funding.

The Ground Reality

Many citizens have reported spotting dog-catching vans moving around neighborhoods. Social media is now filled with posts from pet welfare pages urging people to verify the legality of such operations before allowing dogs to be taken away. The problem?
According to some activists, no valid court order authorizing immediate mass dog-catching has been officially served; the news is mostly being circulated through media channels.

Concerns and Criticism

While some families of attack victims welcome the move, animal welfare advocates warn it could create a crisis. Critics argue the order contradicts India’s ABC Rules, which mandate sterilization, vaccination, and re-release of stray dogs. Organizations such as PETA India and FIAPO caution that the mass removal could trigger a “vacuum effect,” where displaced dogs are replaced by unvaccinated ones from surrounding areas, potentially increasing rabies risk and disrupting long-standing community–dog bonds. The Economic Times estimates the relocation could cost over ₹10,000 crore, with no clarity on funding sources. Public figures have also spoken out — Rahul Gandhi has urged humane treatment, while Ritika Sajdeh poignantly remarked, “They call it a menace, we call it a heartbeat.

What could have been a better solution than mass evacuation?

Instead of rushing into a mass evacuation of stray dogs in Delhi, a kinder and more practical approach could have been to focus on vaccinating and sterilizing them right where they live. Large-scale rabies vaccination drives, paired with ongoing sterilization, can make streets safer while slowly reducing the stray population. This way, dogs stay in familiar areas, where they’re less stressed and less likely to become aggressive.

 At the same time, awareness programs could have helped people understand dog behavior, how to avoid bites, and why vaccinated community dogs are not a threat. Working hand in hand with local NGOs, vets, and volunteers would have made it possible to cover more areas quickly and keep track of progress. Such a plan would have protected both people and dogs, following humane laws and building a safer, more compassionate city for everyone

What You Can Do If You See a Dog-Catching Van

(Adapted from the guidance shared by animal welfare advocates)

1. Intervene immediately and start recording — keep geotagging ON.
   
2. Capture clear evidence — vehicle number, location, date, and time in the video.
   
3. Ask which organization they are from.
   
4. If they say MCD, ask for a valid court order or authorization letter.
   
5. Remember: The SC has only made a statement; no permanent relocation order without shelters is in effect yet.
   
6. Ask where they are taking the dogs and the shelter location.
   
7. Record everything — transparency protects both animals and citizens.
   
8. Share your video with animal rights groups or the helpline (+91 98102 06370).

 

Know Your Rights Under the IPC & Animal Welfare Laws

If you see a dog-catching van in your area, stay calm but observant. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, stray dogs can only be caught for sterilization, vaccination, or medical treatment, not for relocation or culling. Unnecessary harm or cruelty to animals is a punishable offense under IPC Section 428 (mischief by killing or maiming an animal worth Rs 10 or more) and Section 429 (if the animal is worth Rs 50 or more), both carrying fines and imprisonment. You have the right to ask officials for identification and the purpose of catching the dogs, and to document the process if you suspect rules are being violated.

As a pet parent/pet lover, what can you do?

As a pet parent or an animal lover, one of the most powerful things you can do is use social media to raise awareness about humane stray dog management. Share verified information on why vaccination and sterilization are safer and more effective than relocation, and post updates about local animal welfare drives or adoption events. You can also share stories and photos of vaccinated, sterilized community dogs to help reduce fear and misconceptions. Using popular hashtags and tagging local authorities or NGOs can increase reach and encourage others to get involved. Even short posts, reels, or infographics explaining people’s legal rights under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and IPC Sections 428 and 429 can educate your community in a simple, shareable way.

Beyond spreading the word, you can actively support on-ground efforts by partnering with NGOs and community feeders. If you see illegal or cruel handling of dogs, document it and report it immediately to animal helplines or the police. Organize or join neighborhood awareness sessions on safe coexistence with community dogs, especially for children. Encourage fellow pet parents to contribute financially , even a small amount can fund sterilization, vaccination, or post-operative care for one dog. By combining online advocacy with offline action, pet parents can play a key role in making neighborhoods safer for both humans and animals while promoting kindness and responsibility.

Where to Get Help?

 If you find an injured stray, need assistance relocating a pet, or want to help, these organizations can be contacted:

NGOs in Delhi–NCR

People for Animals (PFA), located at 4-T, DCM Building, 16 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi 110001, offers rescue, shelter, ambulance, and sterilization services for animals in need. They can be contacted at +91-11-2081 8191 or +91-11-2081 8194, or via email at gandhim@exmpls.sansad.in. In Noida, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) operates from Plot No. 8, Sector 94, providing medical care, sterilization, and sheltering services. They can be reached at 09818085256 or 09999352343, and inquiries can be sent to info@spcanoida.com.

For injured dogs in South Delhi, Red Paws Rescue can be contacted on WhatsApp at +91-9958866067 or by email at redpawsrescue@gmail.com. They run fostering, adoption, rehabilitation, and feeding programs. In Gurugram, the Karma Animal Foundation, based at Surya Farms, Bhondsi, Sohna Road, offers long-term shelter, rescue operations, and community outreach initiatives. They can be reached at +91-9810055100 or +91-9811028965, or via email at karmaanimalfoundation@gmail.com.

Animal Welfare Activists in Delhi–NCR

Several animal welfare activists and organizations have stepped forward in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent order to remove and shelter thousands of stray dogs across Delhi-NCR. Pawasana, known for its community-driven sterilization and vaccination drives, has been actively coordinating with local feeders to ensure dogs are relocated humanely. Hugs and Rescue has focused on rescuing injured and vulnerable dogs before municipal capture, providing immediate medical care, and networking with shelter homes for safe relocation.

 Modern Mowgli has been using social media to raise awareness, document on-ground conditions, and rally volunteers, while Animal Diaries continues to share updates, safety tips, and real-life rescue stories to keep the public informed and engaged.

Individual activists have also taken a strong stand against inhumane evacuations. Anupam Mehta has been advocating for legal compliance and better shelter standards before mass relocations, warning that sudden removal without adequate facilities could cause unnecessary suffering. Earthlings Trust, led by grassroots volunteers, is lobbying for vaccination-based control rather than permanent sheltering, emphasizing coexistence models. 

Meanwhile, Manavi Rai has been working closely with local RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations) to mediate between fearful residents and dog feeders, promoting education on rabies prevention and responsible animal care. Together, these voices form a powerful coalition pushing for a balance between public safety and compassionate treatment of Delhi’s stray dog population.

Conclusion

This isn’t just a Delhi problem it’s a nationwide wake-up call. Balancing public safety with animal rights requires scientifically sound, humane solutions. Until adequate shelter facilities exist, mass relocation risks doing more harm than good to both humans and animals. By staying alert, informed, and compassionate, ordinary citizens can help ensure that Delhi’s street dogs are treated with the dignity and care they deserve.