Introduction

Over 37 lakh dog bite cases were reported in 2024, according to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The WHO notes that India accounts for one-third of global rabies deaths. Recently, the Supreme Court modified its Suo motu order that had directed confinement of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR shelters. It ruled that dogs, once dewormed and vaccinated, should be released back to their original areas. 

These developments underline the need to balance stray dog protection with citizen safety concerns.

Key Stakeholders and Invested interest 

Ethical Values in Conflict in Management of Stray Dogs

• Compassion vs. Public Safety: Feeding strays may keep them alive but can also increase their population and territorial aggression.
• Animal Rights vs. Human Rights: The fundamental principle that "every creature with a will to live has a right to live free from pain and suffering" conflict with humans' legitimate rights to security, property protection, and freedom from fear in public spaces.
  • Supreme Court, in Jallikattu Case 2014, has interpreted the right to life and liberty (Article 21) as extending to animals as well.
• Kant's Deontology vs Utilitarianism: Kant's categorical imperative demands treating all beings as ends in themselves, never merely as means. Forcible relocation or dumping of strays violates their dignity.
  • This perspective goes against utilitarian model that might sacrifice individual animals for human convenience
• The Non-Maleficence Dilemma: The medical principle of "do no harm" applies to both animals and humans, requiring solutions that minimize harm to all parties.
  • Current approaches often fail this test by either harming animals through cruel control methods or humans through inadequate population management.
• The Rights-Duties Paradox: While animals don't bear legal duties, they still deserve rights—just like infants or the disabled—because of their vulnerability and sentience, not their utility.

Ways for Ethical Management of Stray Dogs

• The Principle of Beneficence: Active promotion of welfare for both animals and humans requires proactive, well-designed interventions rather than reactive measures. 
  • The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, represent an attempt to operationalize this principle through systematic sterilization and vaccination programs.
  • The Netherlands imposed higher taxes on store-bought dogs to encourage shelter adoptions.
• Proportionality and Graduated Response: Responses to stray dog issues must be proportionate to actual risks while avoiding both inadequate action and excessive reaction. This principle demands:
  • Evidence-based assessment of local situations rather than blanket policies
  • Escalating interventions that begin with least harmful approaches.
    • For example, after a spike in rabies cases in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court ordered building shelters, moving strays, and ensuring professional handling, sterilisation. 
  • Regular evaluation and adjustment based on outcomes for all affected parties
• Virtue Ethics: This approach focuses on cultivating virtues like compassion, responsibility, and wisdom in addressing the issue.
  • It emphasizes community engagement, education, and the development of sustainable practices that reflect moral excellence.
• Effective implementation of National Rabies Control Program: Under this, a phased plan is targeting Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities to prevent and control rabies. Surveillance mechanism is also being strengthened for rabies cases and animal bites.
• Empower Local Bodies and Volunteers: RWAs, local authorities, and NGOs like VOSD should manage dog care. Those unable to help directly should support these efforts financially.

Conclusion

Stray dog management is a complex problem requiring multi-stakeholder approach including local governance bodies, communities and animal rights activists, ultimately moving towards One Health Approach.