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.
Such confrontations are becoming frequent in Delhi and many Indian cities 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 earlier 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. But some residents interpreted this as a blanket prohibition on feeding dogs.
Long-time dog caregivers allege they are being harassed, assaulted and threatened, often by their own neighbours, who now believe feeding strays is illegal.
Stray dogs are a familiar presence across Indian cities, particularly in Delhi, which is estimated to have close to a million strays - though there has been no official count carried out in the last decade. Most of these dogs are not considered feral but treated as community animals, living alongside people and relying on them for food.
However, a rising number of people say they fear dog bites and argue that strays compromise safety and sanitation around their homes. Government data shows significant increase in dog bite incidents across the country.
Despite having a large number of stray dogs, India has no comprehensive policy for managing them beyond the Animal Birth Control program.
Activists stress the role of caregivers in the sterilisation and vaccination processes as a critical factor in addressing the issue and call for a clear strategy to balance compassion and safety.
The solution lies between compassion and caution, says Malhotra, highlighting the need for mutual understanding in addressing the concerns of both dog feeders and residents prioritizing safety.
