The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced that it will soon begin enforcing the Supreme Court’s revised order on stray dogs, a move that has sparked both relief and concern among different sections of society. While Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) have demanded clarity on implementation, several animal welfare NGOs have urged that the order be carried out in a humane manner that balances public safety with animal rights.

Background of the Supreme Court Order

The Supreme Court of India recently issued a revised directive concerning the management of stray dogs, which has long been a contentious issue in urban areas like Delhi. The Court’s order emphasises that while stray dogs must be protected from cruelty, their population also needs to be controlled through sterilisation and vaccination programs. Additionally, the Court has directed that feeding zones for stray dogs should be clearly demarcated to avoid conflicts between feeders and residents.

This ruling came after a series of incidents where stray dogs attacked people, including children, sparking public outrage and calls for stricter control measures. At the same time, animal rights groups have consistently opposed any inhumane methods such as mass culling, stressing that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 should be strictly followed.

MCD’s Role and Preparedness

According to Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi, the MCD will enforce the revised order in consultation with experts, RWAs, and NGOs. The corporation is currently reviewing its resources and manpower for conducting sterilisation drives, setting up vaccination camps, and identifying safe feeding spots for community dogs.

The Mayor assured that the MCD is committed to ensuring both public safety and animal welfare, but admitted that practical challenges remain. For instance, there is confusion regarding who will bear the responsibility of managing feeding zones—the MCD, RWAs, or designated volunteers.

RWAs Seek Clarity

Many RWAs across Delhi have expressed frustration, saying that the order lacks specific details on enforcement. They want a clear framework that defines who will be accountable if stray dogs create nuisance or if conflicts arise between feeders and residents.

Some RWAs have also raised concerns about rabies risks and the rising number of stray dog bites in several colonies. They have urged the MCD to speed up vaccination campaigns and ensure that sterilisation numbers are increased to prevent further growth of the stray population.

NGOs Emphasise Humane Implementation

On the other hand, animal welfare organisations have welcomed the Supreme Court’s stance against cruelty. They stress that community dogs have a right to exist and that feeding them in designated areas should not be discouraged. NGOs have also offered to work alongside the MCD to conduct sterilisation and vaccination drives.

Animal rights activists argue that blaming stray dogs alone for attacks ignores the failure of civic bodies to manage their population scientifically. They maintain that if sterilisation and vaccination are carried out effectively, incidents of aggression will naturally decline over time.

Balancing Safety and Animal Welfare

The MCD now faces the difficult task of striking a balance between ensuring public safety and respecting animal rights. Experts say that unless the ABC Rules are implemented strictly, with proper monitoring and reporting, Delhi will continue to face challenges related to stray dogs.

Some suggestions include:

• Mapping stray dog hotspots and deploying mobile sterilisation vans.

• Setting up dedicated feeding zones away from children’s play areas, schools, and hospitals.

• Involving resident volunteers and NGOs in vaccination and awareness campaigns.

• Creating a helpline for residents to report aggressive strays or request sterilisation drives.

The Way Forward

The revised order has once again highlighted the deep divide between citizens who see stray dogs as a threat and those who see them as a part of the urban ecosystem. As of now, the MCD has promised a detailed action plan in the coming weeks.

While RWAs continue to press for clarity and stricter enforcement, NGOs hope that the focus will remain on humane solutions. The coming months will reveal whether Delhi can create a workable model for stray dog management that other cities can also adopt.

For the residents of Delhi, the issue remains a pressing one. Until concrete steps are implemented, concerns over safety, health, and compassion for animals will continue to dominate the debate.

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