India’s Supreme Court orders removal of 60,000 stray dogs from Delhi
The move to set up shelters and ban the release of dogs has drawn criticism from conservationists, who call it an ‘impractical, unscientific move’
India is home to millions of stray dogs and deadly attacks, particularly on children and the elderly, are regularly reported by the city’s media.
At least 60,000 stray dogs live on the streets of New Delhi, according to India’s Livestock Census of 2012, the most recent data available.
Some suggest that the number could now be far higher, with large rival dog packs patrolling parks and residential neighbourhoods across the city.
The country accounts for more than a third of global rabies deaths, according to the World Health Organization, a crisis exacerbated by a lack of sterilisation programmes and legal restrictions on canine culling.
The court asked city authorities to set up dog shelters within eight weeks and maintain daily records of the canines captured.