Clipped from: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/dont-let-the-dogs-down/article70471560.ece
Community dog numbers can be managed without cruelty, through Animal Birth Control
Animal Birth Control involves sterilising the animal and returning it to the exact location from where it was picked up | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
For several animal lovers in the country, the new year brings in sleepless nights and anxiety, as the fate of community dogs on the streets and in residential and office buildings continues under a dark cloud. A Supreme Court hearing on managing community dogs is expected this week. But against the backdrop of this discussion, well-meaning citizens working for the welfare of neighbourhood animals have been threatened, or have had to go searching for community dogs and have them picked up and relocated. It’s the same story, be it Mumbai, Bengaluru or Chennai.
Picking up all community dogs because a few are reportedly aggressive is as illogical as taking all cars off the road because of a car accident; or attacking all men, when a rape is reported.
Countries including Bhutan and the Netherlands, for example, have illustrated scientifically on how community dog numbers can be managed, without cruelty. It’s called Animal Birth Control (ABC) — involving sterilising the animal and returning it to the exact location from where it was picked up; besides promoting the adoption of local dogs.
Community dogs are in the dock today, because the birth control programmes seen ineffective or tardy implementation. This has been pointed out by bureaucrats, politicians, actors, and citizens — many coming out on Sunday to say, “Awara Nahin, Hamara Hai” (community dogs belong to the community.) Government data for 2024 (January to December) puts the number of rabies cases (death) at 54 — nowhere close to the 20,000 bandied in reports, say representatives involved with animal welfare. While even one case is one too many, addressing it needs to be done along with authentic pro-animal groups and feeders. Locking dogs away for life in ill-budgeted shelters will be a source for zoonotic diseases, besides a death sentence to community dogs who are companions to even the poorest of the poor, besides being unofficial guardians of our streets. In their welfare, lies our welfare too.
Published on January 5, 2026
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