The Supreme Court has taken a decisive stance on the stray dog menace in Delhi-NCR, calling it “extremely grim” after mounting dog bite incidents posed a severe public health risk. Authorities have been ordered to pick up stray dogs within eight weeks and house them in dedicated shelters never to be released back into the streets.

The numbers are staggering: in January alone, nearly 430,000 dog bites occurred nationwide, underlining how urgent the situation has become. The court’s instructions extend to Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad, urging coordinated action across municipal bodies. A helpline must be created for dog bite complaints and stray dogs should be picked up within four hours of notification.

This bold step has come amid concerns about the boundaries of existing practices. Traditional Animal Birth Control model, in which dogs are sterilized and left back, have failed to ensure public safety. The court criticizes this method, describing it as ineffective and "indispensable", especially in the case of stopping rabies and giving children and the elderly a fear free atmosphere.

While animal welfare workers are advocating sterilization and mass vaccination, the court has given priority to immediate security above sensations. Experts expressed concern over the availability of shelters and questioned human behaviour.

Now the action of the Supreme Court has increased the pressure on local authorities to give practical results making a shelter, starting a helpline and restoring security on the roads. At the moment, public safety is being given priority and Delhiites will soon see whether the action is matched to the urgency or not.