Delhi Govt Issues New SOP on Street Dog Management, Feeding

The Government of NCT of Delhi has issued fresh guidelines to manage street dog population, eradicate rabies, and regulate pet ownership, in line with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 and recent court directives.

The order directs civic bodies like MCD, NDMC, and Delhi Cantonment Board to sterilize and vaccinate dogs only through Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)-recognized organizations. ABC centres must maintain quarantine facilities, transport vans, incinerators, and submit regular progress reports.

Feeding of community dogs will now be permitted only at designated spots identified by RWAs and residents. Crucially, the guidelines make harassment or obstruction of caregivers and feeders, including women, senior citizens, and community volunteers, a punishable offence.

For some caregivers in Bengaluru, the move offers relief but also skepticism. “It’s a relief to know that harassing feeders is now recognized as an offence in Delhi. Many of us, especially women, have faced hostility while feeding dogs. But I’m still unsure how well this will be enforced on the ground for other states,” said Mrs Priya Raghavan, a long-time resident and feeder of Indiranagar, Bengaluru.

RWA groups have welcomed the clarity on feeding zones. “Having designated feeding points is a welcome step. It brings structure and reduces conflicts between residents. Earlier, random feeding created sanitation issues in common areas, but with clear spots and accountability, we can balance compassion with community safety,” said Praveen (name changed), an RWA member of Sri Laxmi Niwas, Whitefield.  Interestingly, RWAs in Delhi that manage feeding responsibly will also be formally recognized and rewarded by the Delhi government. We need to wait and see if the same rules are implemented across the nation.

The rules also mandate annual registration of all pet dogs above three months, under breeding and non-breeding categories. Pet parents adopting Indian breeds will be exempt from registration fees, while sterilization and first vaccinations will be free at ABC centres. “The exemption from registration fees and free first vaccination make adopting an indie so much more encouraging. I have been meaning to get one home soon and this definitely adds weight to the decision,” said Rohit Singh, a resident of Electronic City, Bengaluru, originally hailing from Delhi.

Officials said the framework aims to balance citizen safety, public health, and animal welfare, while moving Delhi closer to rabies eradication.