I’m a vet and here’s what I think about the Supreme Court’s order on stray dogs in Delhi

Dr Kunal Dev Sharma, veterinary surgeon, MaxPetZ, New Delhi, told indianexpress.com that the Supreme Court’s order aims to address a complex public health and animal welfare challenge. While the intent, to protect citizens from bites and rabies, is reasonable and necessary, the approach must be rooted in compassion and scientific expertise.

According to him, merely relocating stray dogs into shelters is not a long-term solution. Instead, a combination of intense sterilization and vaccination drives, in partnership with private hospital and clinic networks, is more sustainable and humane. “A comprehensive stray dog census, involving RWAs, municipal bodies, and animal feeders, is vital for an accurate assessment and targeted interventions,” said Dr Sharma.

Dr Michelle Simoes, consulting vet of Pets of Paradise, considers the order to be beyond unreasonable, calling it “a death sentence for the community animals of Delhi”.

“If all the dogs are displaced and there are zero stray dogs left, then sure, dog bite incidents would reduce — but this is neither practical nor humane. There are other sources of rabies, such as unvaccinated pet dogs and other mammals, so eliminating an entire population of one species is not the solution,” she told indianexpress.com.

Isolation alone is unlikely to dramatically reduce bite and rabies cases. (File photo)

Is it safe for dogs to be moved to shelters?

Moving stray dogs to shelters en masse presents risks both for the animals and for public health.

“Shelters, unless adequately funded and staffed, can quickly become overcrowded, leading to stress, disease outbreaks, and compromised welfare. Dogs, especially those accustomed to outdoor environments, may exhibit deteriorating health and heightened aggression in confined settings,” clarified Dr Sharma. Instead of indiscriminate relocation, he advocates for adoption and rehabilitation of aggressive and repeat biters, coupled with community engagement programs led by private hospitals to foster co-existence.

Will it actually help bring down dog bite and rabies incidents?

Talking about the Supreme Court’s orders, he said that isolation alone is unlikely to dramatically reduce bite and rabies cases.

Dr Sharma also stated empirical evidence supports that sterilisation and vaccination programs, executed at scale, lower aggression and control disease. Strategic identification of unsterilized animals in each colony, augmented by public education on responsible waste disposal, is crucial. He urged collaborations between veterinarians, RWAs, local authorities, and the government to identify and monitor aggressive and repeat biters will enhance safety.

According to Dr Simoes, “states like Goa have achieved zero rabies status through TNR or Trap-neuter-return”, aka the process of live-trapping strays, having them neutered, ear-tipped for identification, and, if possible, vaccinated, then releasing them back into the streets. Along with mass vaccinations, this can easily be followed in Delhi as well, she added.

Often overlooked, Dr Sharma mentioned that streamlining waste management and involving communities in the process fosters lasting change. Both experts agree that the path forward must be humane, data-driven, and collaborative, making use of the expertise of veterinarians, local authorities, and citizens for lasting impact.

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