SC stray dog order row: How world manages its stray dog populations - from sterilisation drives to strict pet laws
'If any individual or organisation comes in the way… we shall proceed to take strict action against any such resistance,' Justice Pardiwala warned, adding that animal activists and 'so-called lovers' must answer if they could bring back children lost to rabies. 'When the situation demands, you have to act,' the bench noted.
What happens next?
The court's order effectively means that every stray dog in Delhi-NCR will be taken to a pound or shelter home -- facilities where captured dogs are provided with food, medical treatment, and care.
Officials have been cautioned that contempt proceedings will follow if the drive is obstructed.
How other countries manage strays
Globally, approaches range from humane control to stricter enforcement. Here's country-by-country explainer on how others manage free-roaming or stray dogs, organised by the main policy levers.
Europe
Netherlands
Often cited as having virtually no stray dogs after decades of reforms: aggressive CNVR campaigns, compulsory identification or registration, and strong abandonment enforcement.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Uber luxury living at Hyderabad's billionaire junction
Sumadhura Group
Learn More
Undo
Adoption culture and historic dog-tax or breeding controls also shaped behaviour.
United Kingdom
Microchipping is mandatory (England) under 2015 regulations; councils impound strays for 7 days to trace owners, then rehome via rescues (or, if necessary, euthanise). Abandonment and welfare offences carry fines and potential prison under the Animal Welfare Act.
Switzerland
Strict registration & microchipping (Amicus database), routine taxes at the canton level, and strong bans on abandonment—violations can trigger fines or jail.
Tight breeding/sale rules keep inflow controlled.
Germany (and wider EU trend)
Germany's animal welfare framework empowers federal rules on permanent identification and trade restrictions; national and EU moves are tightening microchipping/registration to choke illicit supply. Public campaigns push FINDEFIX pet registries.
Asia
Thailand (Phuket as model)
The Soi Dog Foundation runs one of the world's largest CNVR programmes -- catch, neuter, vaccinate, return at scale -- credited with slashing Phuket's stray population and driving rabies risk toward zero; the model has been replicated across Thailand.
Bhutan
National, government-led accelerated dog population management & rabies control programme - by 2023, Bhutan reported 100% sterilisation of free-roaming dogs alongside vaccination, unusual for its complete national scope.
China (with a Beijing case study)
China frames strays primarily as a rabies challenge: mandatory registration + annual rabies vaccination for owned dogs; cities like Beijing have achieved 80% canine immunity and zero human rabies since 2021, via mass vaccination, surveillance and public education.
Japan
Pet control relies on capture, quarantine, adoption promotion, widespread low-cost spay/neuter, and legal allowances for euthanasia (in declining numbers). National efforts have significantly lowered culling in recent years, though practices and rates vary by prefecture.
South Korea
Revised animal protection laws increased penalties for abandonment and enable police investigations; TNR widely targets community cats and, where appropriate, dogs - aimed at humane population stabilisation without large-scale culling.
Turkey
After CNVR struggled with patchy enforcement/funding, new national law (2024) requires municipalities to collect, sterilise, vaccinate, shelter and adopt out strays -- while allowing euthanasia of sick/aggressive animals. The law has sparked mass protests over culling fears and shelter capacity.
Middle East & North Africa
Morocco
Since 2019, Morocco has scaled a national TNVR policy: capture, sterilise, rabies vaccinate, tag, and return unless the animal is dangerous/very ill.
The state reports ~$23 million invested over five years and is adding dedicated TNVR centres in multiple cities.
Americas & Australia
United States (Austin, Texas as a 'no-kill' city)
Austin formalised a 'no-kill' benchmark (=90% live release rate) by expanding foster/adoption pipelines, rescue partnerships, and behaviour or medical rehab - while keeping public-safety tools (dangerous-dog rules, targeted enforcement).
Brazil (São Paulo and others)
Large cities blend mass sterilisation, vaccination, and adoption fairs, often with public-education drives on responsible ownership.
(Programme specifics and impact metrics vary by municipality and year; São Paulo is commonly cited for scale.)
Australia
States regulate: microchipping/registration is widely mandatory (e.g., Queensland; NSW), councils run pounds with defined holding periods and adoption/rehoming pathways; desexing requirements apply in several jurisdictions.
What actually works (and why)
1) Make every dog traceable. Universal microchipping + registration changes owner behaviour and lets councils reunite quickly; it also underpins fines for abandonment.
2) Run CNVR/TNVR at scale, not sporadically. Fragmented sterilisation fails; where coverage is high and sustained (Phuket/Bhutan), births and bites collapse and rabies risk falls.
3) Pair population work with rabies systems. Mass dog vaccination, PEP access for humans, and bite surveillance deliver visible public-health wins (e.g., Beijing).
4) Invest in adoption pipelines - not just shelters. 'No-kill' cities show you need foster networks, rescue partners and behaviour support, or shelters fill and euthanasia creeps back. (Austin.)
5) Enforce abandonment and regulate supply. Stricter breeder/dealer rules, penalties for dumping, and controls on online trade reduce inflow. (UK, Switzerland, Germany/EU.)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
21 minutes ago
- NDTV
'Give Stray Dogs A Better Life': Kapil Dev's Request Amid Controversy
Legendary Indian cricket team skipper Kapil Dev urged Delhi authorities to provide a better life to stray dogs following a recent Supreme Court order directing their transfer to shelter homes. The Supreme Court earlier instructed the Delhi government and other concerned authorities to remove stray dogs from public spaces and to house them in shelter homes. However, the directive sparked major controversy among animal rights activists who feared issues in implementation of the order. In a video message for animal welfare group Petfamilia, the 1983 World Cup-winning skipper said - 'I know a lot of things are being said about the dogs. But, as a citizen, I feel they are the most beautiful creatures. So I request to authorities to look into them and give them a better life and don't throw them out.' Meanwhile, another bench of the top court asked why authorities in several areas started picking up the animals even before the earlier order became public. The court also came down heavily on the authorities for not implementing guidelines for animal control, leading to this situation. The bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria heard the matter this morning after an August 11 order of a two-judge bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan sparked a massive row, with animal lovers hitting the streets to protest the order to remove strays from residential neighbourhoods. Appearing for the Delhi government, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta pointed to stray dog attacks on children, leading to injury and rabies deaths. "Children are dying. Sterilisation does not stop rabies." Mr Mehta argued that "no one hates animals". "There are four poisonous species among 100. We don't keep them at home. Dogs do not have to be killed; they have to be separated," he said, citing government data of 37 lakh dog bite cases last year. "Parents cannot send their children out to play. Young girls are mutilated," he argued. The solution, Mr Mehta said, is not in the rules. "The court has to intervene."
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Jadavpur University PhD scholar arrested for attack on Bengal Minister's convoy
Kolkata: An alumnus of Jadavpur University (JU), who is pursuing PhD in Spain after BE, was arrested in connection with the attack on West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu's convoy on the varsity campus in March this year. He was arrested at Delhi airport on Wednesday after he landed in the country from Spain, in the wake of a lookout circular notice issued against him. Meanwhile, the parents and professor of the former student claimed that he was not in the country at the time of the incident. Independence Day 2025 Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji gave India its own currency Swadeshi 2.0: India is no longer just a market, it's a maker Hindol Majumdar was not in the country when the incident happened, claimed his parents and professors. 'The former student was a brilliant boy. He is pursuing research work there. The student was abroad much ahead of the incident. He was in Spain for the last two years. So, the first question arises if there is any attempt to jeopardize his career?' a professor said. A retired JU professor, claimed Hindol has been living in Spain since November 2023, pursuing a doctorate in Biomedicine and Clinical Science at the University of Granada . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo "We have discussed with DC-SSD. See what is happening to Bengali asmita. Hindol is a Bengali scholar," Chandan Majumdar, Hindol's father said. His mother, who is also a former professor of Jadavpur University, said they are shocked Live Events This is basically an attempt to intimidate people. We have seen how people who spoke against the RG Kar and other incidents are attacked,' the professor said. 'My son is a serious student. We cannot even understand why he was arrested,' the parents said. Hindol Majumdar an alumnus of Jadavpur University is doing his PhD in Bio-medicine and Clinical Science. Hindol Majumdar, who has been detained by Delhi Police , will be produced in Delhi. The father of Hindol Majumdar, claimed that his son, saying he was in Spain at the time of the March incident. Kolkata Police are preparing to seek a transit remand to bring the PhD scholar to the city. 'I think it is a rightful action by the police. He was the brain behind the attack though he had left in November last year, a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), student's wing of the party, said. Bratya Basu, Education Minister, said, "I have no support or opposition of the matter. I don't know about teh incident."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Epstein connection controversy: Hunter Biden dismisses Melania Trump's defamation threat; claims, 'That's not going to happen'
Hunter Biden and Melania Trump (AP images) Former president Joe Biden 's son Hunter Biden has openly dismissed First Lady Melania Trump's threat to sue him for $1 billion unless he retracts comments linking her to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein . ''F–k that. That's not going to happen,' Biden said during an interview on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan on Thursday. Melania Trump's legal team has issued the warning on Wednesday after Biden suggested Epstein had introduced her to Donald Trump . Similar legal threats from the First Lady have already been issued to others. Last week, Democratic strategist James Carville in an episode of his podcast had speculated that there was an 'Epstein connection' involving the first lady. Later, he apologized and removed the episode, as reported by New York Post. In a letter dated August 6, attorney Alejandro Brito said failure to retract would leave Mrs. Trump 'no choice' but to take legal action to recover damages for the 'financial and reputational harm' caused. Brito gave Biden a deadline of August 7 at 5.00 pm to issue a retraction and apology. Despite his confidence, Biden could face serious financial trouble if sued. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Back Pain Treatments That Might Surprise You! Back Pain Treatment | Search Ads Undo In court filings, he stated that he is burdened with 'significant debt in the millions' due to sluggish art sales and mounting legal expenses. Last month, in an interview on 'Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan,' Biden commented on the Epstein controversy surrounding the president. In the video, Biden claims: 'Epstein introduced Melania to Trump. The connections are, like, so wide and deep. Jeffrey Epstein introduced Melania, and that's how Melania and the first lady and the President met.' Melania Trump SNAPS On Epstein-Trump 'Connection'; HUGE $1 Billion Threat To Hunter Biden Exposed Biden also said he would be eager to participate in a deposition with the Trumps about the Epstein claims. 'I also think they're bullies, and they think that a billion dollars is going to scare me,' he said. 'If they want to sit down for a deposition and clarify the nature of the relationship between Jeffrey Epstein — if the president, the first lady want to do that, and all of the known associates around them at the time of whatever time that they met, I'm more than happy to provide them the platform to be able to do it.' Donald and Melania Trump have claimed that they met in 1998 at a New York Fashion Week party at Kit Kat Klub in New York City hosted by Paolo Zampolli. The tow tied the knot later in 2005. Brit had accused Biden of using false claims to draw attention. 'Given your vast history of trading on the names of others – including your surname – for your personal benefit, it is obvious that you published these false and defamatory statements about Mrs. Trump to draw attention to yourself,' Brito said in his letter to Hunter.
