Delhi civic body to create feeder zones, step up stray dog sterilisation
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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced a major overhaul of its stray dog management policy following directions from the Supreme Court, banning random feeding of dogs in public spaces and ordering designated feeder zones.
The decisions were finalised during a high-level meeting chaired by Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma on Friday. "Suitable areas should be identified and listed for feeder places," Sharma told officials, making it clear that feeding dogs in colonies and marketplaces would no longer be permitted.
To curb rising stray dog numbers and address frequent bite incidents, the MCD will roll out a citywide sterilisation campaign. Officials have been asked to prepare a comprehensive plan with strict timelines.
For the first time, rabies-infected and aggressive dogs will be moved into shelter homes instead of being left on the streets.
The MCD also plans to collaborate with animal welfare organisations and volunteers to run feeder points, vaccination campaigns, and rehabilitation programmes.
Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh welcomed the initiative, calling it a step forward for both public safety and animal welfare. "This is a very good decision, and we will implement it 100%. The dog lovers and the NGOs also wanted the dogs to be sterilised and left. The corporation already did the same. Ferocious and aggressive dogs that have developed the habit of biting should be treated and kept," he told NDTV.
Singh added that citizens will play a direct role in the new plan. "I myself am a dog lover, so if I speak in the language of the dog lover, I will say we will treat them just like we treat our kids. We want to involve animal lovers and NGOs to work with us. We are forming a committee with them. We had asked them for volunteers, and so far we have gotten 5,000 names."
The action plan will be implemented in phases, with officials stressing that the aim is to balance safety concerns, follow court orders, and maintain humane treatment of animals.