From Mumbai to Kochi: How Cities are Tackling the Stray Dog Challenge - And What India Can Learn from the Netherlands

The stray dog population is a growing concern across India, sparking public health debates, legal interventions, and innovative city-level solutions. While the Supreme Court has now directed governments and civic bodies to confine stray dogs to shelter homes in Delhi-NCR, other Indian cities have been experimenting with their own approaches. Interestingly, the Netherlands offers a global example of how a nation can completely solve this issue.Mumbai: Vaccination and Sterilisation, Not ConfinementMumbai, home to over 90,000 stray dogs, relies on sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination programmes in partnership with NGOs. Instead of removing animals from their territories, the city focuses on population control and disease prevention.Kolkata: Feeding Under Strict GuidelinesIn Kolkata, a 2024 protocol regulates public feeding of stray dogs. Meals are allowed only in designated spots, twice daily - before 9 am and after 9 pm. Police actively enforce these rules and take action against poisoning incidents.Lucknow: High Bite Incidents, Constant Helpline CallsLucknow’s helpline for dog-related issues gets calls roughly every two hours. The city has recorded nearly 10,000 pet dog bite cases in just the past five years, underscoring the urgency of preventive measures.Jaipur: Slow but Steady SterilisationJaipur focuses on sterilising around 30 dogs daily, gradually reducing the number of unsterilised strays on its streets.Chandigarh: Fines, Compensation, and Pet RegulationsChandigarh reported over 10,000 dog bite cases in 2023 alone. Victims receive compensation - ₹10,000 for treatment and ₹20,000 for severe injuries involving flesh loss. The city imposes fines for owning banned aggressive breeds, and mandates leashing, chipping, and registration, linking compliance to property tax and water bill records.Kochi: High-Volume Sterilisation EffortsKochi’s Animal Birth Control centre aims to sterilise 2,000 dogs every month, treating up to 5,000 animals annually. Most of its budget comes from NGOs, and it has already sterilised around 35,000 dogs. The facility also provides shelter for up to 100 dogs and retains aggressive ones longer for behavioural assessment.A Quick Look: How Indian Cities Compare to the NetherlandsTo understand the scale and approach, here’s a snapshot of how different cities - and the Netherlands - handle the stray dog issue: City/Country Key Strategy Notable Measures Results/Challenges Mumbai Sterilisation & vaccination Partnership with NGOs; no relocation Population still rising, but disease prevention in focus Kolkata Regulated feeding Feeding only in designated zones at fixed times; police enforcement Reduced street conflict, but requires strict monitoring Lucknow Helpline & reporting 24x7 free calls; tracks bite incidents Nearly 10,000 pet dog bite cases in 5 years Jaipur Steady sterilisation 30 dogs sterilised daily Slow progress towards population control Chandigarh Regulation & penalties Compensation for victims; fines for banned breeds; mandatory registration Strong pet ownership control, but bite cases still high Kochi High-volume sterilisation 2,000 dogs/month; 90% NGO-funded; ABC centre 35,000 dogs sterilised; limited shelter capacity Netherlands National sterilisation, adoption drive 70% female dogs sterilised; strict welfare laws; puppy tax; 90% adoption rate Zero stray dogs; global model for humane control The Netherlands: A Global BenchmarkThe Netherlands eradicated its stray dog problem through a multi-pronged strategy - a nationwide, government-funded sterilisation drive covering over 70% of female dogs, stringent animal welfare laws with heavy fines and prison terms, high taxes on puppy purchases, and a strong culture of adoption. Today, over 90% of Dutch households adopt dogs, making the country a model for humane and effective population control.