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.
Ms. Malhotra says she usually prefers to stay calm in such situations. But of late, there have been instances where she's had to be more firm.
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—however, 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. In some cases, residents have tried to shoo away dogs from feeding spots to discourage people from providing them food.
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, though there has been no official count carried out in the last decade. Most of these dogs are not considered feral. Rather, they are treated as community animals, living alongside people and relying on them for food. From gated colonies to roadside tea stalls, they are woven into the fabric of daily urban life.
However, a rising number of people in Delhi say they fear dog bites and argue that strays compromise safety and sanitation around their homes and public places. Packs of stray dogs can often be seen chasing children and the elderly.
Overall, the situation in Delhi illustrates a complex balance between compassion for the stray dog population and the fear that some residents feel, necessitating a thoughtful approach to coexistence.
