Delhi's Dog Dilemma: A Battle Between Compassion and Safety

Sat Sep 13 2025 13:12:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The debates surrounding the feeding of stray dogs in Delhi intensify following a Supreme Court decision, exposing a deep divide between animal lovers and community safety advocates.

Following a Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs, tensions in Delhi are at an all-time high as animal lovers face hostility for feeding strays. Advocates argue for compassion, while many fear for their safety due to dog attacks. As locals navigate this complex issue, the court’s decision has sparked a necessary debate on how to manage the city's estimated one million stray dogs more effectively.

Days after an order by India's top court brought the issue of stray dogs in Delhi into the spotlight, tensions have risen in the city. Animal lovers say they face hostility and sometimes even violence for taking care of strays, while people who believe dogs should be off the streets argue they can be aggressive and dangerous.

Megha Malhotra has been feeding stray dogs in her residential complex for almost two years. Every evening, she places food at a temporary feeding spot near her building's exit gate. I enjoy taking care of them and feeding them, she says. But in recent weeks, she has sensed growing unease among residents every time she puts out the food. Some have even confronted her, insisting she stop feeding the animals, she says.

Such confrontations are becoming frequent in Delhi as civic authorities grapple with a fast-growing population of stray dogs. Those who feed dogs do it out of compassion, and those who oppose it cite an increasing number of dog bites and attacks, some of which have also been fatal.

Animal lovers argue that much of the confusion stems from a recent Supreme Court order that has reignited a polarising debate: How should India manage its stray dog population in densely populated cities? In August, the court modified its directive requiring all stray dogs in Delhi to be moved into shelters. It instead ruled that dogs must be caught, vaccinated, sterilised and returned to their neighbourhood - but with a caveat that aggressive dogs and those carrying rabies should be moved to shelters. The court also banned feeding strays in public spaces and asked civic authorities to designate specific areas where dogs can be given food.

However, some residents interpreted this as a blanket prohibition on feeding dogs. Long-time dog caregivers allege they are being harassed, assaulted and threatened by neighbours who now believe feeding strays is illegal. There is fear in the minds of people [that the dog would attack them]. What they don't get is that these animals just need love and care, Ms Malhotra says.

Stray dogs are a familiar presence across Indian cities, particularly in Delhi, which is estimated to have close to a million strays. Most of these dogs are not considered feral; rather, they are treated as community animals, living alongside people and relying on them for food. However, a rising number of people in Delhi report fearing dog bites.

Activists advocate for feeders, asserting they are vital to managing the dog population through sterilisation and vaccination. Meanwhile, municipal officials are working on identifying designated feeding spots while prioritising the safety of both the feeders and the community.

For feeders like Ms Malhotra, the debate over stray dogs is about balancing compassion with community safety—a challenge that continues to evolve within Delhi's urban landscape.