Bhutan's 100% street dog sterilisation and Dutch model: What Delhi can learn

India Today

19 hours ago

The Supreme Court has issued a sweeping directive for Delhi-NCR municipalities to remove all stray dogs from public spaces within eight weeks, relocating them to shelters, whether sterilised or not, with no return to the streets permitted. This order, issued on August 11, 2025, is part of a hard-line response to escalating rabies cases and rising public safety concerns, especially for children. Yet, animal welfare groups warn the plan is unfeasible, potentially harmful, and contradicts India's ABC (Animal Birth Control) Rules 2023 that mandate sterilisation, vaccination, and release back to territory.advertisementBHUTAN'S COMPASSIONATE TRIUMPH: 100% STREET DOG STERALISATIONOver a 14-year bipartisan campaign, Bhutan became the first country globally to sterilise and vaccinate its entire street dog population. Starting in 2009 with Humane Society International (HSI), the program expanded nationwide under government leadership. It achieved sterilisation and vaccination of over 150,000 street dogs, microchipped 32,000 pet dogs, and ultimately declared 100% coverage by 2023. Key ingredients included phased implementation, strong community engagement, veterinary training, surveys to track progress, and gradual funding transition from HSI to government.THE NETHERLAND'S ETHICAL EVOLUTION TO ZERO STRAYSThe Netherlands offers another humane success story. From early, ineffective measures like culling and dog taxes, the country transformed its approach with a multi-pronged, welfare-first strategy:Steep taxes on pet store purchases, incentivizing adoption from shelters.CNVR (Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) programs offering free services to sterilise and vaccinate strays.Strict anti-cruelty laws with harsh penalties for abandonment.A dedicated animal welfare enforcement unit to rescue and enforce laws.Nationwide adoption campaigns and public awareness.This led to over a million adoptions, eliminated stray populations, and cemented the dog as a beloved household member.WHAT DELHI CAN LEARN?Bhutan's methodical, long-term strategy and phased roll-out ensured success. Quick fixes won't suffice.Both Bhutan and the Netherlands prioritised community buy-in, India needs mass sterilisation, education, and adoption culture.Mandatory return of sterilised dogs under India's ABC Rules clashes with removal orders, creating legal and ethical conflict.The estimated Rs 15,000 crore cost to build shelters for Delhi's estimated 1 million strays, in just eight weeks, is widely considered impractical.Delhi's stray dog crisis demands immediate attention, but it demands humane, strategic, and sustainable solutions. A middle path combining sterilisation, vaccination, infrastructure building, legal enforcement, and compassionate governance, modeled on Bhutan and the Netherlands, could deliver safer streets and happier dogs. After all, true progress respects both human safety and animal dignity.- EndsTune InMust Watch