India scales back plan to remove stray dogs from streets of Delhi

Country suspends ‘catch-and-keep’ plan for strays in favour of a more ‘holistic’ approach

India’s top court has scaled back an order to clear Delhi’s streets of stray dogs, in a decision that was cheered by animal rights supporters.

Earlier this month, the supreme court ruled that all strays picked up in Delhi’s capital region would be confined to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination, and not returned to the streets. The goal was to protect people – particularly children – from dog attacks and rabies, which remains endemic in India.