The story from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, where a dog accompanies Dharmaraj Yudhisthira to heaven, still echoes till date in "Kalyug". This tale needs
to be revisited today, as the debate rages on whether dogs should be allowed on Delhi streets or not. For the unversed, Yudhisthira, after the Kurukshetra war, embarked on a journey to heaven, accompanied by a dog. Though the Dharmaraj lost all his brothers and wife in the journey, the dog remained by his side throughout. When he reached the doors of heaven, Indra, the king of gods, denied entry to the dog; however, Yudhisthira then refused to enter heaven without his companion. Turns out, it was a test - the dog in fact was "Dharma" himself - who blessed Yudhisthira, and together they ascended to heaven in Indra's chariot, showcasing the importance of loyalty and righteousness. Why does this story still reverberate? It highlights the true meaning of "Dharma (righteousness)", companionship, and loyalty. The loyalty bit is not just restricted to dogs but humans as well. Cut to 2025, the Supreme Court of India has directed the government of Delhi, civic bodies, and authorities of Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad to shift the stray dogs to dedicated shelters within eight weeks. The decision was taken by the SC bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan, following media reports on dog bites leading to rabies. This time, the apex court also ordered not to block the relocation of dogs, a stark departure from previous observations. In its Monday order, the Supreme Court said, “For the time being, forget the rules,” while cautioning animal rights groups not to obstruct local bodies’ efforts to relocate animals. "If any individual or organisation comes in the way of picking stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action against any such resistance,” the SC said. “All these animal activists, will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies? We need to make streets absolutely free of stray dogs,” the court said.
When Man and Dog Stopped Being 'Friends'
Once hailed as "man's best friends", stray dogs in Delhi are now seen as a menace. The rabies cases have shot up drastically in the past few years. Incidents of dog bites and deaths of children and the elderly have sparked fear in several localities. This year alone, Delhi has reported over 26,000 dog bite cases. In 2024, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi recorded 68,090 dog bite cases. The grim situation has eventually led to the SC passing a tough verdict directing all stray dogs to be picked up and taken to shelters for sterilisation.The court has ordered the NCT of Delhi, MCD, and NDMC to set up dog shelters within eight weeks, with adequate staff for sterilisation and vaccination. These shelters must have CCTV monitoring to ensure dogs are not released. Authorities have also been told to begin picking up strays from all areas, especially vulnerable localities and cities. “If a dedicated force is needed, create it at the earliest,” the court said, emphasising that the “top priority” is to make all areas free of stray dogs.
Is This The Solution or An 'Angry Judgement' Delivered In Haste?
Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has sharply criticised the Supreme Court’s order, calling the directive “unscientific” and “impractical.” The group has urged the government to prioritise sterilisation over displacement.PETA believes the order will do little to solve the problem. Dr Mini Aravindan, Senior Director of Veterinary Affairs, PETA India, said, “Communities think of neighbourhood dogs as family, and the displacement and jailing of dogs is not scientific and has never worked. Per a population survey conducted in 2022-23, Delhi has around 10 lakh community dogs, with less than half sterilised. Forced removal of some 10 lakh community dogs from Delhi's streets will cause uproar in communities that care deeply for them and chaos and suffering for the dogs on a large scale. It will also ultimately do nothing to curb the dog population, reduce rabies or prevent dog bite incidents. This is because it is unfeasible to build enough dog shelters, and displacing dogs causes fights over territory and problems like starvation.”
Animal rights activist and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi slammed the directive as “impractical,” “financially unviable,” and “potentially harmful” to the region’s ecological balance, adding that the sheer scale of the task makes it “unworkable.”
“You have three lakh dogs in Delhi. To get them all off the roads, you’ll have to make 3,000 pounds, each with drainage, water, a shed, a kitchen, and a watchman. That will cost about Rs 15,000 crore. Does Delhi have Rs 15,000 crore for this?” PTI quoted Maneka Gandhi as saying.
Later, Maneka Gandhi said the order is not “doable,” describing it as “a very strange judgment given by someone who is in anger.” Speaking to ANI, she added, “Angry judgments are never sensible.”
Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said the stray dog menace in the city had reached “gigantic” proportions and assured that her government would soon implement a comprehensive, “planned and systematic” policy in line with the Supreme Court’s directives.
Several individuals and groups, including Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs), have welcomed the order. Delhi mayor Iqbal Singh also supported the Supreme Court’s decision, noting that residents of the city were facing persistent problems.
“I welcome Supreme Court's order as the people of Delhi were facing a lot of problems. We will try our best to implement this order in the next 6 weeks. We don't have shelter homes, but we have 10 operational sterilisation centres. We can make temporary and permanent shelter homes. MCD and the Delhi government will ensure that no one faces problems due to stray dogs. We will make an action plan after holding meetings with our officers,” he told news agency ANI.
How Mumbai and Kochi Tackle the Stray Dog Menace
Mumbai, home to an estimated 90,700 stray dogs in 2025, partners with NGOs to run sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination drives. After treatment, dogs are not relocated or confined but returned to their original localities.
Kochi operates an Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre that releases sterilised dogs within 48 hours, while aggressive ones are kept for up to 72 hours. The city aims for 2,000 sterilisations a month, with NGOs funding around 90% of the cost. Since the programme began, Kochi has sterilised about 35,000 dogs. Its shelter can house 100 animals at a time and is now expanding with more trainers and handlers to improve operations.
Can Delhi Take A Leaf Out Of the Netherlands' Book?
When it comes to tackling stray dogs, the Netherlands stands out in its efforts and has set a global benchmark. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Netherlands faced a severe stray dog crisis. Pet abandonment was widespread, and the government’s first response was culling. Leash and muzzle laws were introduced, followed by a “dog tax” — but the measure backfired, prompting more owners to give up their pets.
By the late 20th century, the country shifted to a humane, sustainable model. Animal abuse and neglect were criminalised, with offenders facing up to three years in prison and hefty fines.
The real breakthrough came through three decisive steps:
- Adoption Incentives – A steep tax on store-bought dogs encouraged people to adopt from shelters.
- CNVR Programme – Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return controlled the stray population without culling.
- Pet Police Unit – A specialised force rescued animals in distress and enforced welfare laws.
Amid heated debates, rising rabies cases, and a Supreme Court verdict that could change the very fabric of human–dog coexistence in Delhi, it is prudent to take a more balanced approach that caters to both - safety of humans and a place for dogs. As policies tighten and fear overshadows compassion, stray dogs stand on the brink of losing the only homes they have ever known — the streets they share with us. In Kalyug, perhaps the real test of our “Dharma” is whether we can protect both public safety and the dignity of the voiceless companions who have walked beside us through centuries. We have to make our children and the elderly safe - there cannot be two ways about it - but at the same time, it's our "Dharma" that we provide dogs a proper place and environment that's kinder and safer for them.
Yudhisthira stood by his "Dharma" - today it's our turn.
