The latest report of the State of Pet Homelessness Index of India states that there are 62 million [6.2 crore] stray dogs in India. That number is double the size of the population of Australia. In addition to the large number of stray dogs, India also faces a high number of rabies cases, with an estimated 18,000-20,000 deaths annually. Roughly 36% of the world’s rabies deaths occur in India each year.
Dogs, a highly social animal, have been humans’ companions for a long time. Dogs were the first species to be domesticated by humans, likely beginning around 14,000 years ago. The relationship between humans and dogs is a unique case of co-evolution, with dogs playing a significant role in human societies throughout history. They have served as companions, hunters, herders and guardians.
In Indian culture, dogs are recognised for their loyalty, service and the relationships they develop with humans through companionship. Much of India’s reverence for dogs comes from our religion, which is evident in our traditions and literature. Dogs appear in several episodes of the Mahabharata, one of the two great epics of Hinduism. In one story, a dog named Dharmaraja accompanies the Pandavas on their journey to the afterlife and ultimately reveals himself to be a manifestation of the god of death, Yama. Dogs also play a significant role in Indian festivals. During the celebration of Diwali, they are relied upon to protect homes from intruders or any other potential dangers.
Dogs are also used extensively in police and military tasks in India due to their reliability and trainability. Their job includes complex tasks like bomb detection, search and rescue, and even tracking tasks for criminal investigations. They have helped the task forces solve many cases to date. They are also everyone’s favourite to keep as pets due to their immense affection and companionship. Some hospitals and care facilities utilise them as therapy animals, where they provide emotional support to reduce the stress and anxiety of patients.
Globally, dogs are the most popular pet, with about a third of households owning one, according to NIQ. Approximately 33% of households own at least one dog. People often form strong emotional bonds with their dogs, sometimes even more than with other humans. In general, dogs are seen as symbols of loyalty and devotion all around the world.
It is estimated that tens of millions of dog bites occur worldwide annually. In India, there are an estimated 9.1 million dog bites annually. Three in every four animal bites are due to dogs, with over 5,700 deaths in humans estimated to occur each year due to rabies in India, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.
Dog lovers vs residents: The valid arguments from both sides and the Supreme Court’s observations on the issue
Dogs return to the same streets due to strong territorial bonds, according to the dog feeders, while the residents argue that they chase cyclists, children and elderly people in packs, in residential areas. The fact behind this is that dogs can be territorial, as their instinct is to protect their resources and assert dominance. So, the dogs chasing the residents are their way to protect themselves and guard their territories, and they chase vehicles because they feel threatened by them.
Dog feeders argue that removal and not feeding them causes disorientation and increases aggression, while residents say that feeding attracts more dogs, escalating safety and hygiene fears. Dogs showcase aggression when they are hungry and there are not enough resources to satiate their hunger. According to Maneka Gandhi, feeding stray dogs can make procedures like sterilisation easier for municipal authorities.
Residents demand strict control or removal to prevent attacks and bites, while dog feeders raise a valid point that feeding is legal under the Supreme Court and the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Dog lovers assert that sterilisation and vaccination are the only humane solutions, while the victims argue that bites, maulings and rabies cases continue despite such measures. Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 give dogs the right to live where they belong, but then the question to, where will the space remain for humans if the dogs take over all common areas?
Dog lovers say that the real solution lies in a humane balance between rights, so until then, should the residents feel abandoned and unsafe in their own homes? Sometimes, even the pet dogs bite their owners, including small children.
On an RWAS[resident welfare association] petition, the Bombay High Court ruled that RWAS cannot restrict community animal feeding. The high court said that the housing societies cannot threaten or punish residents for feeding dogs. And that the designated feeding spots should avoid play areas, entrances, and staircases.
The Supreme Court made several observations regarding the issue. The court’s statement about the legality of feeding stray dogs is that it is permitted both within and outside residential complexes. On sterilisation protocol, “Dogs which are removed for purposes of sterilisation or vaccination must be returned to the same place from where they were taken. On advice to humans, “Citizens who wish to feed stray dogs should do so inside their own homes where possible to avoid conflict”. The court said that “Right to life under Article 21 of the constitution extends to animals as well”. “Article 51A[G] casts a duty upon every citizen to have compassion for living creatures”. The Prevention of Cruelty Act 1960 criminalises abandonment, starvation or denial of shelter. The court also said that the question as to where the space will be left for humans if dogs take over all common areas is a serious concern that needs regulation.
The solution or the mitigation of the issue
Recently, BBMP[Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike] floated tenders to feed around 4000 strays one meal a day, at 11 am, at nearly 100 locations. As per the BBMP’s meal plan, each dog would be fed 367.5gm of chicken rice, so the dogs get around 750 calories. They said that feeding reduces aggressive behaviour and dog bites, makes it easier to catch dogs for sterilisation and vaccination, boosts the effectiveness of animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination campaigns, and reduces the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
To effectively reduce the stray dog population in India, there must be a focus on sterilisation and vaccination, responsible pet ownership and public awareness. The Animal Birth Control 2023 provision of the Prevention of Cruelty Act 1960 must be enforced and implemented. The programs promoting adoption and educating the public about responsible pet care, including waste disposal, must be conducted. The ABC rules recognise community dogs as territorial beings belonging to local environments. The rules mandate the RWAS, apartment associations and local bodies to arrange feeding if residents care for dogs and that they be fed in a way that balances public order and compassion. The ABC rules mandate sterilisation and vaccination of community dogs.
Large-scale, government-backed sterilisation programs are crucial to control the breeding of stray dogs. The programs must be the responsibility of the local bodies, like municipalities and must be conducted effectively. They must initially estimate the number of stray dogs in their locality and then decide on the program. They must also ensure the vaccination of dogs against rabies and other diseases, as that is essential for public health and animal welfare. Dog shelters must be constructed in areas to protect the stray dogs and ensure their welfare. Promoting the adoption of stray dogs through awareness campaigns and adoption drives can reduce the number of dogs in shelters and on the streets. The local bodies must decide on a designated area and time of the day, and make feeding the dogs regularly mandatory. Awareness must be raised about the importance of sterilisation, the dangers of rabies and strict laws must be made and enforced against the cruelty towards animals. Proper waste management practices can also reduce the availability of food sources for stray dogs, discouraging them from congregating in certain areas.
To handle stray dog aggression, the public must not run or scream, as it triggers the chase instinct. Direct eye contact with alert dog packs must be avoided, and refrain from doing anything they may see as a threat, like waving a stick.
The Netherlands has successfully reduced its stray dog population to near zero through a nationwide CNVR[Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return] program, which provides free sterilisation and vaccination services to stray dogs, helping to control their population and prevent the spread of the disease. The government also provided financial assistance to pet owners to carry out these procedures. Some municipalities imposed high taxes on purchased dogs, incentivising people to adopt from shelters instead. Public campaigns and educational initiatives raised awareness about responsible pet ownership, the importance of neutering and the benefits of adopting from shelters. Strict laws were created that enforced the registration of dogs and their microchipping. This helped keep the number of dogs in check and also reduced abandonment. Hence, the Netherlands achieved this through legislative reformation, education, community involvement and a strong sense of collective responsibility towards animals.
India can learn from the example of the Netherlands and utilise it in the nation to reduce the number of stray dogs. Of course, it is very difficult to implement such programs in a vast and populous country like India, but nothing is impossible if we, as citizens, come together as a community and help the government to mitigate the issue. Thus, we can reduce the number of stray dogs, thereby reducing the number of dog bites and the deaths resulting from them and rabies.