Prowling packs

A wave of fear is gripping India’s streets as packs of stray dogs turn aggressive, targeting children, seniors and ordinary commuters in broad daylight. From Delhi’s crowded markets to Bengaluru’s residential lanes, unsettling videos of dogs chasing and mauling pedestrians have spilled across social media, sparking widespread outrage. Citizens, traumatized by scenes of mauling and occasional fatalities, clamor for swift action: they demand shelters for captured animals or even euthanasia to eliminate the immediate threat to human life. Local authorities, however, often find themselves hamstrung by complex regulations and activist-led litigation. When residents call for urgent interventions, municipal bodies cite procedural delays and strict adherence to the Animal Birth Control Rules as reasons for inaction. The result is a dangerous stalemate, that while sterilization programs inch forward, the unvaccinated and unsterilized dogs fill any gap left behind, reclaiming territory and perpetuating the cycle of attacks. Animal-activist groups counter the demand for culling with a principled stand on humane treatment. They point to constitutional duties and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, arguing that no solution should violate the rights of sentient creatures. Their unwavering advocacy has won greater public awareness of welfare issues and inspired efforts to house and rehabilitate strays. Yet in their zeal, some activists overlook the fact that unchecked populations pose a real hazard to human safety. Well-intentioned feeding programs sometimes lure dogs into densely populated areas, increasing the likelihood of confrontations. The movement for animal rights has also nurtured broader social campaigns that extend well beyond canine welfare. Another branch of animal lovers for cows have championed vegetarianism and urged the government to pour resources into cow shelters, veterinary hospitals and even mobile cow ambulances. Though these sentiments indicate a genuine desire to protect vulnerable animals, they have triggered unintended consequences. Farmers barred from selling or transporting their unproductive cattle frequently abandon them on city outskirts, adding to the urban burden of stray livestock and creating fresh public-safety challenges. India today finds itself juggling multiple layers of animal-welfare activism, public-demand pressures and legal obligations. While the passion of advocates has achieved important victories-shifting discourse away from indiscriminate culling toward more compassionate interventions-it has left citizens feeling that their safety concerns are sidelined. Municipal sterilization drives and shelter initiatives move at a glacial pace, and judicial reviews drag on for months, if not years. As a result, every new mauling reinforces the grim perception that official responses are inadequate. A more effective approach lies in integrating humane care with robust public-safety strategies. Rapid-response teams could focus on capturing dangerously aggressive animals, while sterilization and vaccination campaigns scale up under clear performance metrics. Community volunteers trained in safe feeding methods could help redirect packs away from high-traffic zones. Partnerships between local bodies and civil-society organizations might expand shelter capacity and foster adoption drives, reducing the number of dogs on the streets over time. India can also draw lessons from cities abroad that have wrestled similar challenges. In Rome and São Paulo, synchronized catch-neuter-release programs, backed by strong legal frameworks and community buy-in, have brought stray populations under control without resorting to lethal measures. By blending proven international practices with India’s own cultural and legal context, policymakers can break the deadlock. Restoring confidence in public safety need not undermine animal welfare. A balanced, well-coordinated strategy can protect lives on both sides of the leash.