The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) animal birth control (ABC) programme witnessed a sharp dip in sterilisation and immunisation in August when the Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case related to stray dogs.
A senior official from MCD’s Veterinary Department said that between April and September this year, 54,623 stray dogs were sterilised and vaccinated.
“Sterilisation and immunisation averaged over 10,000 dogs per month in April-June, then dropped to 9,353 in July. The figure halved to 5,096 in August because, following the SC’s orders, stray dogs were picked up from streets and confined to ABC centres due to shelter shortages which disrupted the sterilisation and immunisation exercise,” the official added.
Sterilisation and immunisation rose to 8,112 in September but stayed below the 10,000 monthly average.
The SC’s August 11 order directed the civic authorities to round up all stray dogs and keep them in shelters. The ruling was partially modified on August 22, when a three-judge Bench allowed vaccinated and dewormed dogs to be released back into the same locality, except those found aggressive or rabid.
The official said data from NGOs show that the MCD has already “achieved 70–80% sterilisation” of stray dogs in 230 out of 250 wards. There are 20 ABC centres run by 13 NGOs under MCD supervision. These centres must achieve 80% sterilisation in their areas as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
Status report
In compliance with the apex court’s directive, the MCD is preparing a status report to be submitted on October 27, detailing the steps taken for sterilisation, immunisation, feeding zones, and the establishment of dog shelters.
The MCD has also identified 292 feeding points across 12 zones of Delhi where stray dogs may be fed in a regulated manner. The civic body, however, admitted that finalising the locations has been delayed due to disputes and objections raised by residents and local representatives.
“Conflicts over the location of feeding spots have delayed the process. Local councillors, deputy commissioners, RWAs, and local feeders were asked to identify suitable spots in every ward, but reaching a consensus has taken time,” said Yogesh Verma, member of MCD’s sub-committee for stray dogs management.
The West Zone currently leads with 60 identified spots, followed by 54 in Najafgarh, 40 in Shahdara South, 29 each in Rohini and Keshav Puram, 16 each in South Zone and Narela, 15 in Karol Bagh and Shahdara North, eight in Sadar-Paharganj Zone, six in Civil Lines, and four in Central Zone.
MCD Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma had in September directed all zonal deputy commissioners to identify three to four feeding points per ward, in consultation with councillors. With over 250 wards in Delhi, the MCD aims to designate around 1,000 such spots citywide.
The MCD is also in the process of installing signboards at these feeding points. “We’ve issued directions to the engineering department to procure materials and submit quotations for the signboards,” said the official.
Each signboard will be 2×3 feet and fixed at a height of six feet at the feeding spot. The signboards will bear the MCD logo. As directed by the Supreme Court, stray dogs will be fed only at these designated places, the official said.
Local feeders and RWAs, however, claimed that the initiative remains largely on paper. Ashok Bhasin, president of the North Delhi RWA Federation, said, “We have not received any notification on the designated feeding spots. Unless the feeding zone is designated and a signboard is installed, the street feeding will continue.”
Proposed dog shelter
For aggressive or rabies-suspected dogs, MCD has identified an area of over 2.5 acres at the ABC centre in Sector 29, Dwarka. It can house 1,000–1,500 dogs. “The site inspection has been completed. We plan to develop permanent facilities there for aggressive and infected dogs. The chief engineer of the Najafgarh Zone has been tasked with starting construction,” the official said.
Published – October 27, 2025 01:03 am IST
