Delhi’s Stray Dog Crisis: Maneka Gandhi Blames MCD for Rising Bites

Animal rights advocate says relocation of dogs into poorer colonies is driving conflict and aggression

Delhi’s growing stray dog problem is not a natural crisis, but a man-made one, argues former Union Minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi. As reports of dog bites surge across the city, Gandhi points the finger squarely at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), accusing it of flouting Supreme Court directives and worsening the situation.

According to Gandhi, wealthy Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) pay to have dogs removed from their neighbourhoods. These dogs are then quietly dumped into poorer and lower middle-class colonies. The result: “The rich are not getting bitten. It’s the poor who are paying the price. Colonies like Rohini are overrun with dogs, while affluent roads have very few,” she said.

Forced Relocation and Rising Aggression

Relocation, Gandhi claims, is the main trigger behind violence. “Ninety-nine percent of dog bites happen because of relocation. Imagine you have five dogs in your colony and suddenly 30 more are dumped overnight. Anyone would feel agitated, whether or not they love animals.”

She adds that overcrowding in both human and animal populations is fuelling hostility: “In an overpopulated country, there is a lot of pent-up anger. It spills out on weaker beings—children, animals, even trees.”

Violence Against Feeders

The crisis is not just about dog bites. The conflict between residents and animal feeders is intensifying. Gandhi cites recent cases, including an incident in Rohini where two boys feeding dogs were beaten up by a government school teacher, who also killed one of their dogs.

“The Supreme Court has clearly said feeders can continue feeding until designated feeding zones are notified. But since no boards have been put up, conflict is inevitable,” she explained.

MCD in Contempt, Says Gandhi

Gandhi alleges that the MCD has ignored court directives. “The Supreme Court asked MCD to put up boards designating feeding spaces. They haven’t put up even one. That is contempt of court,” she asserted.

She also criticised the condition of Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres, calling them “crumbling, unhygienic, and run as money-making ventures by MCD associates.” Dogs sterilised in such centres often return sick and aggressive, she said. In contrast, Gandhi pointed to Lucknow as a success story: “One ABC centre there works magnificently, and the stray dog population is down by 70%.”

The Way Forward

For Gandhi, the solution is straightforward:

• Stop forced relocation of dogs
• Improve sterilisation through functioning ABC centres
• Enforce Supreme Court orders by urgently putting up feeding zone boards

“Delhi doesn’t need more conflict. It needs accountability, humane management, and strict implementation of the law,” she said.