Sterilisation Camps Offer Humane Stray Dog Solutions

The Delhi High Court has ordered the MCD and other civic agencies to launch trial sterilisation and vaccination camps for stray dogs. The court said these camps should be about animal welfare, and not about capturing and relocating dogs. It also urged the authorities not to send stray dogs to pounds or to mistreat them.

The order expands on the court’s previous initiatives to enhance stray dog management and ensure the safety of the public and animal welfare.

Delhi High Court Directs Pilot Sterilisation Camps

A division bench headed by Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Rajnish Kumar Gupta ordered MCD and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to organise one trial sterilisation camp and one vaccination camp in one ward each in the city.

The project will work with the court-appointed amicus curiae. Authorities need to raise public awareness about the caps through the use of signs and community outreach activities, before the beginning of the camps.

The stray dogs will not be forcibly taken back to the camp, and the officials will not attempt to capture these dogs with nets. Residents, feeders and animal welfare organisations, on the other hand, can take dogs to the camps for their sterilization and vaccination.

Why the Court Issued This Order

The Delhi High Court started a suo moto PIL to look into the Supreme Court directions on the stray dog menace dated May 19, 2026. The Court wanted to balance animal welfare with public safety and control of the stray dog population in a humane way.

The court also asked the authorities to pay special attention to places like schools, hospitals and railway stations.

Progress of Animal Birth Control Centres

At the hearing, the MCD informed the court that it had identified ABC centres across all eight municipal zones.

The overview indicated majority of zones were operational with ABC centres. There are still three zones that need approval. At the same time, close-by centres are still sterilising. Authorities are also conducting vaccination drives along with sterilisation.

The court had asked officials to take such action as the “one ward, one camp” scheme and not to be launched throughout Delhi simultaneously.

Benefits of Sterilisation and Vaccination Camps

Sterilisations and vaccinations are supported by animal welfare experts as a humane approach to controlling stray dogs.

Key benefits include:

• Humanely contains the spread of stray dogs.
• Minimises the risk of rabies through mass vaccination.
• Decreases aggressive territorial behaviour over time.
• Enhances the safety of the public and community.
• Refrains from killing or mass relocation.
• Supports responsible animal management and practices.

What Happens Next?

The pilot camps will serve as a blueprint for other wards in Delhi. If it succeeds, the programme can be rolled out throughout the city.