SC Order On Delhi Stray Dogs Sparks Debate: Here’s How Cities Worldwide Handle Them

Last Updated:August 12, 2025, 14:56 IST

From Morocco’s trap–neuter–return to Turkey’s shelter-first law and the Netherlands’ strict ownership rules, here’s how the laws on stray dogs differ across the world

Supreme Court's stray dogs order divides internet (AI-generated image)

The Supreme Court’s recent order to remove all stray dogs from Delhi’s residential areas has put the spotlight on how countries deal with free-ranging canines. Citing a surge in dog-bite incidents and rabies-related deaths, many involving children and the elderly, the court directed the Delhi government to collect, sterilise, and permanently relocate strays to shelters within eight weeks. No dog is to be released back into public spaces, and new shelters must have adequate staff and CCTV surveillance.

The order has sparked sharp debate. Animal welfare advocates call it unscientific and contrary to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023, while supporters say it is a necessary step to protect public health. But how do other countries, both developed and developing, balance safety, welfare, and cost?

Rules For Stray Dogs In Other Countries

Morocco: TNVR Programme

Morocco has expanded its Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return (TNVR) model nationwide. Dogs are trapped, sterilised, vaccinated against rabies, tagged, and released back to their original areas unless they are ill or dangerous, in which case they are humanely euthanised. The government has invested around $23 million over five years in this humane population-control effort.

Turkey: Massacre Law

In July 2024, Turkey mandated the removal of an estimated four million stray dogs from urban streets. Municipalities must capture, vaccinate, sterilise, and put the animals up for adoption. Euthanasia is allowed for dogs that are sick, aggressive, terminally ill, in pain, or deemed a health threat to humans. The Constitutional Court upheld the provisions earlier this year, ensuring implementation continues despite criticism from welfare groups.

Japan: Regulated Euthanasia

Japan’s stray management involves capture, quarantine, and adoption drives, alongside low-cost neutering programmes. Euthanasia, sometimes via controversial gas chambers, is legal but limited to sick or dangerous animals. The method, criticised for causing prolonged suffering, remains in use in some prefectures, including Tokyo.

Switzerland: Strong Ownership Laws

Switzerland bans pet abandonment, punishable by up to three years in prison. Dog owners must register pets with local state authorities (known as cantonal authorities), and in some states, completing a certification course is mandatory before ownership. These measures, along with strict breeding and sale regulations, help keep stray numbers low.

United Kingdom: Seven-Day Hold, Strict Penalties

Abandoning pets in the UK is illegal, carrying up to three years in prison and fines of £45,000 (over Rs 53 lakh). Strays are picked up by local councils and held for seven days while attempts are made to trace owners via mandatory microchips. If unclaimed, adoptable dogs are rehomed; others may be euthanised. Many welfare organisations operate “no-kill" shelters that only euthanise animals with severe illness or dangerous behaviour.

South Korea: Anti-Abandonment And TNR

South Korea’s revised Domestic Animal Protection Law allows fines and police investigation for abandonment. While most efforts have focused on stray cats via Trap–Neuter–Return (TNR) programmes, the framework is also applied in parts to stray dogs, combined with vaccination and rehoming drives.

Singapore: TNRM Model

Singapore’s Animal & Veterinary Service runs a Trap–Neuter–Rehome/Release–Manage (TNRM) programme. Stray dogs are captured, sterilised, vaccinated, microchipped, and either rehomed or released into suitable locations. This government-led system aims to stabilise populations while ensuring public safety.

United States (New York City): Shelter and Adoption

New York City’s Animal Care Centres take in strays, housing them while adoption is sought. Dogs not adopted within a set period are euthanised. Unlike TNVR systems, animals are not returned to the streets.

European Union: Country-Level Rules

The EU has no centralised stray animal law; member states set their own rules. Common measures include sterilisation, vaccination, and adoption programmes, with municipalities typically responsible for enforcement.

Netherlands: Almost No Strays

The Netherlands is often cited as having virtually no stray dog population. This has been achieved through compulsory microchipping and registration, strict breeding regulations, heavy penalties for abandonment, and nationwide spay-neuter campaigns. Municipal enforcement ensures that owners remain accountable for their pets, effectively preventing new strays from entering the streets.

How India’s ABC Rules Differ

India’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023 mandate the sterilisation, vaccination, and return of community dogs to the same location after treatment, unless they are incurably ill or pose a proven danger. This is in line with the “no-cull" approach recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

The Supreme Court’s current order for Delhi departs sharply from this principle—requiring permanent sheltering and banning release—making it closer in spirit to Turkey’s shelter-first model than to Morocco’s TNVR system. Critics warn this could be logistically unfeasible and cost-prohibitive, while supporters argue it’s necessary to address rising attacks and rabies cases.

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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August 12, 2025, 14:54 IST

News explainers SC Order On Delhi Stray Dogs Sparks Debate: Here’s How Cities Worldwide Handle Them

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