Delhi’s MCD Forms Panel to Tackle Stray Dog Crisis, Plans Shelter Homes Across 12 Zones

New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has constituted a nine-member committee to address the city’s growing stray dog problem and implement long-term shelter home solutions. The decision comes amid rising public safety concerns and gaps in sterilisation efforts.

The committee will be led by Bhati ward councillor Sundar Singh and includes several other councillors alongside senior officials, including the director and additional commissioner of MCD’s veterinary services. It was formed following the July 16 standing committee meeting, where chairperson Satya Sharma approved a proposal to build dog shelter homes in each of the 12 MCD zones.

Panel Tasked With Drafting Action Plan and Legal Review

"The committee will prepare a complete action plan for the construction and operation of these shelter homes. This will include identifying suitable locations, assessing resource requirements, budget estimation, and coordinating with NGOs and expert organisations associated with public health and animal welfare," said Sharma.

The panel has also been asked to develop tailored models for each zone and submit its recommendations within a month.

"It will not only focus on animal welfare, but will also ensure that public safety, sanitation, and health concerns arising from stray dogs are effectively addressed," Sharma added, noting the need for a practical, sustainable approach.

She further highlighted the legal obstacles preventing relocation of stray dogs under the current Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and said the committee has been directed to examine these limitations.

"If required, we will pursue central govt for amendments in the norms," she had stated earlier.

Lack of Sterilisation and Data Undermines Efforts

The MCD's renewed push follows a Supreme Court hearing on a Noida incident where a resident was allegedly harassed for feeding stray dogs. During the proceedings, the court had remarked, "Why don't you feed them in your house?"

In that same July 16 meeting, councillors flagged the shortage of sterilisation drives and the absence of an updated dog census, making it difficult to assess the scale of intervention required.

The last comprehensive survey was conducted in 2016 by the erstwhile South Delhi Municipal Corporation, estimating around 1.9 lakh stray dogs in that region alone. At the time, 40.3% of male and 27.8% of female dogs were reported sterilised. Since then, no updated figures have been released.

Officials admit that without current data, even basic planning for sterilisation and shelter infrastructure remains a challenge. The committee is expected to prioritise this gap as part of its mandate.