As of July 2025, Delhi had recorded 26,334 canine chew instances as towards 68,090 such instances reported within the earlier yr. Till July 31, there have been 49 confirmed instances of rabies within the Capital. The Supreme Court ordered on August 11 that every one stray canines be completely sheltered, triggering an uproar from the animal activists. It revised the order on August 22, directing the authorities to launch the sterilised and vaccinated canines and preserve rabid and sick canines in shelters.
Development Minister Kapil Mishra, after a gathering with the Delhi Advisory Board for Animal Welfare on September 10, stated the federal government will implant microchips in practically 10 lakh road canines in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme over the following two years. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma confirmed that they’ll search authorities funds to implement the initiative.
A municipal official advised The Hindu that microchipping can streamline the ABC programme’s “catch-neuter-vaccinate-release” mannequin, bettering long-term monitoring. “These chips will retailer key particulars, together with the animal’s vaccination and sterilisation historical past,” he stated. The ABC guidelines, which had been launched beneath the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Rules, 2001, had been revised in 2023. Experts have highlighted the programme’s ineffective implementation over the previous 20 years, together with outdated census information, insufficient infrastructure, poor planning, and underutilisation of funds.
‘Outdated census’
The final citywide canine census was carried out in 2009, which estimated the inhabitants to be 5.6 lakh. A 2019 Delhi Assembly subcommittee projected it at 8 lakh, whereas the MCD’s veterinary division now estimates practically 10 lakh stray canines.
After the assembly, Mr. Mishra said {that a} canine census needs to be carried out on the earliest to make sure correct information. “How do you anticipate to implement a programme with out realizing what number of canines you’re coping with?” stated a former director of the MCD Rabies Control Programme. “We are setting sterilisation targets based mostly on accessible budgets and services, not on scientific want,” he added.
Experts affirm that to carry down the stray inhabitants, not less than 90% of the canines must be sterilised in a brief interval. “According to guidelines, feminine canines needs to be prioritised for neutering, as male canines are inclined to develop into extra aggressive after the process,” stated Meet Asher, animal rights advocate at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
MCD’s information present that in 2022, 59,076 canines had been sterilised. In 2023 and 2024, the numbers rose to 79,959 and 1,31,137 respectively, whereas solely 31,888 procedures had been recorded as of June this yr.
Long watch for funds
Between 2015 and 2024, the civic physique spent over ₹60 crore for the neutering of canines, in line with an MCD official. This yr, ₹15 crore has been put aside for this objective. However, no funds have been launched within the present monetary yr, and the NGOs operating the ABC centres have been awaiting disbursement since March 2025.
Sarungbam Yaiphabi Devi, founding father of Animal Trust India, runs a centre in Lajpat Nagar. “The MCD pays ₹1,000 per canine, however the precise price is round ₹2,600. When not even that’s being paid, how do you anticipate us to maintain going?” she stated.
Besides missing enough infrastructure, many centres are reportedly grappling with an absence of certified veterinary workers, overcrowded kennels, poor segregation of animals, outdated dog-catching strategies, and failure to tag canines post-surgery, complicating follow-up.
Leadership gaps compound the issue. The MCD’s Veterinary Department has been and not using a Director for over 9 months, and considered one of its two Additional Director posts stays vacant.
“Our veterinary division is without doubt one of the most uncared for wings of the MCD,” an official stated. Of the 649 sanctioned posts, 277 stay vacant, together with roles for canine catchers, drivers, inspectors, and subject workers.
‘ABC guidelines flawed’
Not solely is there ineffective implementation of the ABC guidelines, however the guidelines are also “flawed”, stated Meghna Uniyal, co-founder of Humane Foundation for People and Animals.
“It legalises straying and renders a number of protecting provisions within the PCA Act ineffective, together with the power to shelter stray canines. It treats unowned canines as pets. But stray canines will not be meant to be pushed on metropolis streets,” she stated.
Ms. Sharma had additionally referred to as for amending the ABC guidelines to permit relocation of strays, at present prohibited. “If needed, we’ll strategy the Central authorities to revise the legislation,” she stated.
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