India’s stray dog population has crossed 1.53 crore, raising serious public safety and health concerns amid a steady rise in dog bites and rabies cases. The issue has come under sharp focus after the Supreme Court’s recent directive ordering the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi and NCR to dedicated shelters within eight weeks.
SC’s Landmark Directive
On August 11, the Supreme Court described the situation as “extremely grim” and called for immediate action against the growing menace of dog bites. The bench ordered that captured dogs should not be released back on the streets, a significant departure from the existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules. The court also mandated shelters for at least 5,000 dogs, staffed with adequate personnel for sterilisation and vaccination.
However, with Delhi alone housing over 55,000 stray dogs (as of November 2023), critics question whether the plan can make even a dent. Animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi labelled the move “irrational” and “driven by anger,” igniting a nationwide debate.
Who’s Responsible for Stray Dog Management?
Under Article 246(3) of the Constitution, states oversee animal welfare, while Articles 243(W) and 246 assign stray dog control to local bodies through the ABC Programme. In April 2025, the Animal Welfare Board of India released revised guidelines for dog population management, rabies control, and reducing human-dog conflict.
India’s Stray Dog Landscape
According to the Department of Animal Husbandry (November 2023), India has 15,304,345 stray dogs — roughly 1% of its human population.
Top States by Stray Dog Population:
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Uttar Pradesh – 20,59,261
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Odisha – 17,34,399
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Maharashtra – 12,76,399
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Rajasthan – 12,75,596
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Karnataka – 11,41,173
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West Bengal – 11,40,165
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Madhya Pradesh – 10,09,076
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Gujarat – 9,31,170
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Bihar – 6,96,142
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Andhra Pradesh – 4,71,884
Among cities, Bengaluru leads with 1.36 lakh strays, followed by Delhi (55,462) and Mumbai (50,799).
Dog Bite Surge
Between 2022 and 2024, India recorded 8.95 million dog bites, a 45% increase in just two years.
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Maharashtra tops the chart with 13.5 lakh cases,
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followed by Tamil Nadu (12.8 lakh)
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and Gujarat (8.4 lakh).
Surprisingly, Uttar Pradesh, despite having the most strays, ranks 9th in bite cases.
Rabies Death Toll
Rabies, a fatal disease spread mainly by dog bites, caused 125 deaths in India between 2022-2024.
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Maharashtra recorded the highest fatalities (35),
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followed by Karnataka (12) and Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh (9 each).
While the SC order sets a bold precedent, experts highlight hurdles — shelter capacity, funding, veterinary resources, and long-term adoption plans. With millions of stray dogs and limited infrastructure, the question remains whether India can balance public safety with animal welfare.
