‘Surely There Is A Better Way’: Priyanka’s Plea On Stray Dogs

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has raised significant concerns regarding the Supreme Court’s directive on August 11 to relocate stray dogs in Delhi to shelters, warning that the plan risks leading to “horrendously inhumane treatment” due to a lack of adequate shelter capacity. The Congress leader and Wayanad MP emphasized the need for more compassionate and sustainable solutions to protect urban animals, who already face mistreatment and brutality.

In a social media post, she stated, “We must ensure that the solutions we adopt for stray dogs do not compromise their dignity or well-being.” Her comments come amid a troubling rise in dog bite incidents in the capital, with government data revealing that Delhi recorded 6,691 dog bites in 2022, followed by 17,874 in 2023, and a staggering 25,210 in 2024. In January 2025 alone, there were an additional 3,196 reported cases. While the city has not seen a rabies death since 2022, experts warn that rabies remains fatal in untreated cases and is primarily linked to dog bites, as well as incidents involving monkeys.

Specialists stress that while not all dog bites transmit rabies, any suspected exposure necessitates immediate post-bite vaccination, ideally with rabies immune globulin for severe wounds. Recent rabies deaths in Kerala, including cases among vaccinated individuals, highlight critical gaps in awareness and access to timely treatment.

India’s stray dog population is estimated to exceed 60 million, making it one of the largest in the world. In response to the Supreme Court’s orders, the Government of Delhi NCT has been tasked with sheltering, sterilizing, vaccinating, and monitoring stray dogs in captivity, a shift from the previously advocated Treat, Sterilize, Release (TSR) policy. This change has alarmed animal rights advocates, who fear it may lead to further suffering for the animals.

Other Indian cities have adopted various approaches to manage their stray populations. For instance, Mumbai has implemented NGO-led sterilization drives, Kolkata has established designated feeding zones, Jaipur has daily spay clinics, and Goa has successfully maintained a rabies-free status since 2017 through its ‘Mission Rabies’ program.

Globally, several countries provide models that balance public safety with animal welfare. Bhutan stands out for achieving 100% sterilization and vaccination of its stray dogs in 2023, a feat accomplished over 14 years by integrating animal welfare into public health policy and mobilizing community awareness campaigns. This success demonstrates that even with limited resources, humane and effective outcomes are possible. Gandhi Vadra questioned, “Is India not able to equal its human resources and outlay on the problem at a per capita level?”

The Netherlands has effectively eradicated strays through a nationwide catch-neuter-vaccinate-return program, strict anti-abandonment laws, and cultural adoption drives. Thailand’s Soi Dog Foundation has successfully reduced stray numbers in Phuket by 90% through mass neutering and vaccination efforts. In Beijing, China, high vaccination coverage has eliminated human rabies cases, although crackdowns on unregistered dogs have sparked debates about animal rights and humane treatment.

Brazil’s São Paulo has also seen a 60% reduction in its stray population through sterilization and adoption schemes. In the U.S., Austin follows a rehoming model that keeps animals in separate kennels in no-kill shelters, contrasting sharply with many Indian shelters, which are often overcrowded and open, leading to stress and disease among the animals.

Animal welfare experts argue that India could benefit from these international lessons to develop policies that protect both people and dogs. As Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s intervention highlights, the challenge lies not only in controlling stray populations and preventing rabies but also in ensuring that solutions do not come at the expense of the animals’ dignity and well-being. The need for a balanced approach that prioritizes humane treatment is more pressing than ever as cities grapple with the complexities of managing their stray dog populations.