Dogs are not intruders in our cities. They are not outsiders who suddenly appeared on the streets. They are a species that humans shaped, nurtured, and then—too often—discarded. To understand the “stray dog issue” in Delhi and across India, we need to trace the journey of dogs themselves: a journey that begins with firelight and ends, tragically, with neglect.
The Origins of a Bond
Thousands of years ago, early humans shared their settlements with wolves. Those who lingered at the edges of camps learned that scraps of food meant survival, and humans quickly realised these animals could guard, hunt, and even guide. Over generations, wolves became dogs—not through nature alone, but because we chose them.
What sets dogs apart is not strength or speed, but loyalty. They evolved as companions, protectors, and helpers. From mythologies to folklore, dogs became part of our cultural memory. In India, they appear in ancient epics, rituals, and traditions as both guardians and sacred beings.
The Streets We Created
The dogs we now call “strays” exist because of human decisions:
- Families abandoning pets they no longer want.
- Municipalities failing to enforce sterilisation programmes.
- Corruption draining budgets meant for animal welfare.
- Unplanned urbanisation pushing animals from homes into hostile streets.
Every hungry dog near a dustbin is not a “menace”—it is a living reminder of a system that failed.
Why Killing or Capturing Doesn’t Work
Authorities often respond to public fear with round-ups or cruel policies. But history shows these approaches don’t solve the problem. Removing dogs from an area creates a “vacuum effect”: new dogs enter, fight for territory, and the cycle repeats. Shelters overflow, conditions worsen, and cruelty multiplies.
The humane, scientifically proven method is Capture–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return (CNVR). By sterilising and releasing dogs back to their territories, populations stabilise and aggression reduces. This is not theory—it is law under India’s Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which require CNVR and monitoring committees in every city.
A Question of Conscience
The story of stray dogs is ultimately the story of us. We created them, we failed them, and now we debate their right to live. Courts, governments, and citizens must remember: these animals are not criminals. They are survivors of human neglect.
The real danger is not the dog on the street—it is the apathy in our governance, the corruption in our civic bodies, and the lack of compassion in society.
A Future Worth Fighting For
If Delhi is to be a city of humanity, it cannot turn its back on its oldest friend. Protecting stray dogs is not just animal welfare—it is about justice, responsibility, and the kind of society we want to be.
Because when we abandon the dogs, we abandon a part of our own humanity.