The dog-human conflict began as early as the onset of urbanization. As human societies evolved and cities became more populated, stray animals continued to be seen as a problem.
Recently, the streets of Delhi have increasingly become a matter of concern for residents, as the stray dog population continues to rise along with the number of dog bite incidents. Delhi reported more than 57,000 dog bite cases in 2023. Those most affected are lower-income groups such as domestic helpers, street vendors, and people who walk for their daily activities.
The real concern began when dog bite cases among children also rose. A recent case in which a 5-year-old girl from Kerala died even after vaccination soon after being bitten shook the country.
People are growing wary of taking a stroll on the streets as unprovoked dog attacks are on the rise.
Citizens are increasingly frustrated with the ineffectiveness of sterilization programs, delayed responses from the MCD, and legal constraints that prevent the relocation of aggressive dogs, especially after the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023.
The ABC Rules 2023 require strays to be caught, vaccinated, neutered, and released back into the community. Since the dogs cannot be relocated, the effectiveness of this law is under question.
The last survey was conducted in 2016, almost a decade ago.
A recent report by The Times of India reveals that the sterilization and vaccination initiatives—core components of the ABC Rules—have fallen short of expectations. Many residents, such as Kapil Kakkar, president of Jangpura Extension RWA, point to ambiguities in the ABC Rules, which do not clearly define procedures for dealing with aggressive or biting dogs. With relocation banned by court orders unless the animal is rabid, local civic bodies face significant hurdles in implementing any proactive measures. They also face protests from dog lovers when the matter is raised in residents’ associations, which results in no real solutions.
Former Delhi Chief Secretary Shailaja Chandra has criticized the over-reliance on ABC Rules. She emphasizes that government departments appear paralyzed, choosing inaction due to fear of backlash from social media, thereby leaving public spaces increasingly unsafe, as stated in The Times of India report.
In response to growing public concern, Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta recently launched a campaign focusing on the management of stray animals. She has called for a detailed action plan for the rehabilitation of stray dogs. However, many believe that without fundamental changes in law and resource allocation, such initiatives may remain symbolic.
In a discussion about the stray dog menace on MedBound Hub, Dr. Munish Kumar Raizada, MD, FAAP, President of the Bharatiya Liberal Party (BLP) and a board-certified neonatologist, said:
"Frankly speaking, the problem of stray dogs (and stray cattle) has assumed gigantic proportions in Delhi state. As per media reports, we now see close to 2,000 dog bite incidents in Delhi on a daily basis. This is the fate of the capital of India. The number 2K is shocking. Stray dogs have terrorized the humans of Delhi, to say the least. The previous corrupt AAP government failed us. Now the BJP government in Delhi seems to be sitting on this nonchalantly, while the MCD continues to be busy making money through corrupt practices."
On a national level, Congress leader Karti P. Chidambaram met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March to advocate for the creation of a national task force and better resource allocation to address rabies-related deaths. He highlighted that India harbors over 6.2 crore stray dogs, accounting for 36% of global rabies-related deaths.
Despite the ABC 2023 Rules mandating local authorities to sterilize, vaccinate, and return dogs to their original locations, there are glaring implementation challenges. NGOs, tasked with the bulk of the sterilization drives, report lack of funding and delayed payments. At the same time, government departments such as the MCD have been accused of inaction, mismanagement, and underutilization of available veterinary infrastructure. In a recent move, the government has proposed opening additional kennels to increase the number of sterilization drives.
NGOs attempt to manage conflict through community engagement and observation, but resource limitations and legal constraints on relocation make it hard to ensure public safety.
According to the report by TOI, hospitals such as Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia are seeing thousands of dog bite cases monthly. Dr. Yogesh Gautam from Safdarjung Hospital warns that over 95% of animal bite cases are caused by dogs and urges the public to follow proper medical protocols, including completing anti-rabies vaccination schedules.
A recent study from Safdarjung Hospital, published by the Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI), found that 71.2% of bite victims failed to complete the required vaccination course, highlighting another layer of public health risk.
While the MCD claims to have submitted an action plan to the Delhi High Court, including targets to sterilize 70–80% of dogs in each ward and establish new Animal Birth Control centers, progress on the ground remains slow. The last comprehensive dog census was conducted in 2016, further complicating efforts to manage the issue.
Residents and experts alike believe that success depends on a coordinated, well-funded effort involving both government agencies and community stakeholders. Prioritizing dog-populated areas, utilizing all available veterinary infrastructure, and ensuring timely payments to NGOs are among the steps urgently needed.
References:
Animal Welfare Board of India. “Rules.” Accessed May 15, 2025. https://awbi.gov.in/Document/rules
“Once bitten, forever shy: Queues get longer at special clinic”
Jaiswal, Anuja. The Times of India, May 15, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/once-bitten-forever-shy-queues-get-longer-at-special-clinic/amp_articleshow/121169462.cms
“'2,000 bite incidents daily in city': How Delhi’s stray dogs are nibbling away at safety”
Sharma, Vibha, and Priyangi Agarwal. The Times of India, May 15, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/danger-at-doorstep-strays-divide-city/amp_articleshow/121169471.cms
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas/MSM)