The Supreme Court's order to shelter stray dogs in Delhi-NCR has become a major challenge. The MCD lacks adequate space and resources, while expenses and staff shortages are serious problems.
Delhi: Following the recent Supreme Court order, initiating the process of removing stray dogs in Delhi-NCR has become a significant challenge for the MCD and other municipal corporations. The order mandates that all stray dogs be captured and housed in shelters, but arranging a sufficient number of shelters, funds, and staff is proving to be the biggest hurdle.
Limited Shelters and Resource Issues
The MCD's Veterinary Services Department currently has only 648 sanctioned posts for employees and officers. There are 24 vans for catching dogs and 20 sterilization centers, which can accommodate only 4,000 dogs at a time. These centers operate with the help of volunteer organizations and sterilize approximately 15,000 stray dogs every month.
Noida currently has only one shelter home, while three more are proposed, but land has not been identified. Delhi has an estimated 1 million stray dogs, while Noida and Greater Noida have approximately 35,000, and Gurugram has over nine thousand. Faridabad does not have a single shelter home.
Challenges of Space and Construction
Finding vacant land to build shelter homes away from residential areas amidst the rapidly growing residential areas in Delhi is a major challenge. Available space in urban areas is extremely limited. In addition, the department, already struggling with staff shortages, will have to recruit new employees to ensure the smooth operation of the shelters.
Heavy Burden of Expenses
The MCD's financial situation in Delhi is already weak. Maintaining a stray cow costs approximately ₹40 per day. If we calculate expenses for dogs in the same way, sheltering eight lakh dogs would cost approximately ₹3.20 crore per day. This would place an additional burden of approximately ₹90 crore per month on the MCD. Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad will also incur crores of rupees in expenses separately.
No Survey in 9 Years
No survey has been conducted in the last 9 years to determine the exact number of stray dogs in Delhi. A survey conducted in four zones of the Southern Corporation in 2016 found 1.89 lakh dogs. No data has been updated since then.
The situation is similar in Faridabad, Palwal, and Gurugram, where numbers are being determined based on estimates.
Differences in Rules Before and Now
What was before
- Stray dogs were to be picked up and released back into the same area within 10 days of sterilization.
- A maximum of 70% sterilization was allowed in a ward.
- Only dangerous or rabid dogs were picked up after a complaint.
What will happen now
- All stray dogs will be caught and kept in shelters.
- There will be no need to release them back into the same area after sterilization.
- Action must be taken within 4 hours of receiving a complaint about a dog appearing in any area.
