MCD to Enforce Penalties on NGOs Over Stray Dog Sterilisation Failures

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is poised to implement stricter regulations for animal birth control (ABC) centres operated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). A meeting scheduled for Thursday will focus on enhancing accountability for shortcomings in sterilisation and vaccination efforts aimed at controlling the stray dog population. The potential introduction of penalties and funding cuts for underperforming NGOs is a significant aspect of this initiative.

Currently, Delhi hosts 20 ABC centres managed by NGOs, each required to achieve an 80% sterilisation rate in their designated areas, according to the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Despite the reported sterilisation efforts, officials have noted persistent challenges in implementation and monitoring, which have contributed to a continued increase in the stray dog population. A senior MCD official stated, “If even after sterilisation of dogs in a particular area, as claimed by the NGO, the population continues to rise, it indicates a degree of negligence. There must be accountability, and stringent guidelines are needed for this.”

Proposed Measures and Accountability

Proposed measures to be discussed by the Standing Committee include financial penalties for NGOs that do not meet the required sterilisation targets. Each ABC centre is mandated to maintain comprehensive records and submit monthly reports detailing the number of sterilisation and vaccination procedures. This includes verification of procedures through “organ counts” and documentation of any complications or deaths that may occur during the processes. Currently, the MCD compensates NGOs ₹1,000 per sterilisation and vaccination procedure.

In addition to stricter oversight, the MCD is seeking administrative approval to release ₹13.5 crore earmarked for the ABC programme, as payments for services rendered have been pending for over six months. This funding is intended to support the sterilisation of approximately 135,000 dogs during the current financial year. As of June 2023, a total of 31,888 sterilisation procedures were completed, for which payments remain outstanding. NGOs have reported operational difficulties stemming from the lack of funds since March 2023.

Over the past three years, the number of sterilisation procedures has shown a steady increase, rising from 59,076 in 2022 to 79,959 in 2023, and reaching 131,137 in 2024. The MCD’s decision to tighten regulations comes in light of a Supreme Court directive issued in August 2023, which addressed the growing issue of stray dogs in the city. The court modified previous orders, permitting sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs to be returned to their localities, provided they are not aggressive or rabies-infected.

The MCD’s planned actions reflect a commitment to improving the management of stray dogs in Delhi, aiming to strike a balance between animal welfare and public safety. Enhanced scrutiny and accountability are expected to play pivotal roles in achieving the city’s sterilisation goals and curbing the rising stray dog population.