New Delhi: After the Supreme Court’s order on keeping stray dogs in shelters sparked debate in Delhi, opinions remain divided. While some criticise the verdict,
citing animal rights, others welcome it in light of rising attacks on children. Cities like Kochi and Mumbai have adopted management measures, while nations like the Netherlands have set benchmarks. Can Delhi follow the European model?
Netherland’s Successful Model
One of the most successful examples comes from the Netherlands, which is now believed to be the first European nation without a stray dog population.The country’s achievement is remarkable given that, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it faced a severe stray dog crisis. Abandonment of pets was common, and the initial government response was to cull the animals. Laws requiring leashes and muzzles were introduced, followed by a ‘dog tax’. However, this backfired, as many people gave up their pets to avoid the tax, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Also Read: SC Order on Stray Dogs: Does Delhi-NCR Have Enough Shelters For 10 Lakh Dogs? What PETA Said
By the end of the 20th century, the Netherlands shifted to a humane and sustainable approach. It passed strict laws against animal abuse, making neglect or cruelty a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in prison and fines.
The real breakthrough came through three key measures. First, the government imposed a high tax on store-bought dogs, encouraging adoption from shelters instead. Second, it launched the CNVR programme — Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return — to control the population without killing. Third, a dedicated pet-police unit was set up to rescue animals in distress and enforce animal welfare laws.
How Indian Cities are Facing the Challenge?
In Mumbai, where the stray dog count has risen to 90,700 in 2025, the city works with NGOs on sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination programmes. The animals are not relocated or confined but returned to their localities after treatment, as per a report by TOI.Read More: Delhi Police Detain Protesters Opposing Supreme Court’s Stray Dog Removal Order
Kolkata practices a 2024 standard operating procedure in which feeding of stray dogs is allowed at specific places and only twice a day — before 9 am and after 9 pm. Police also take action in poisoning cases and make arrests when needed.
In Lucknow, officials receive free helpline calls about dog-related incidents almost every two hours. The city has seen around 10,000 dog bite cases from pet dogs alone in the past five years.
Jaipur sterilises about 30 dogs daily, while Chandigarh reported 10,621 dog bite cases in 2023. Chandigarh offers Rs 10,000 compensation for treatment and Rs 20,000 for cases involving flesh loss. It also imposes a Rs 5,000 fine for feeding six banned aggressive breeds and their crosses, and Rs 20,000 for failing to leash, microchip, and register dogs — linking compliance to property tax and water bill records.
In Kochi, an Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre releases sterilised strays within 48 hours or keeps aggressive ones for up to 72 hours. The city’s target is 2,000 sterilisations a month, with NGOs covering about 90% of the programme’s cost. Since inception, about 35,000 dogs have been sterilised. Kochi’s shelter can house 100 dogs at a time and is now adding more trainers and handlers.
There is no single solution to the stray dog challenge — success depends on consistent sterilisation drives, public awareness, strict enforcement of laws, and cooperation between authorities, NGOs, and citizens.
