Stray dogs squat in the corridors of Delhi's power

Two stray dogs were spotted resting near the public reception counter of the Delhi Secretariat on Monday. With no civic agency-authorised tokens or bands around their neck, the dogs seemed to have not been vaccinated.

The presence of dogs on the premises of the city government’s most important building reflects the authorities’ indifference towards the growing population of strays.

The dogs were spotted at a time when the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Delhi government and Union Health Ministry after a fatal attack on a seven-year-old boy on August 4 by a pack of street dogs in south Delhi.

The NHRC has also called for a debate by the civil society on the human rights versus animal rights issue.

Twelve people have died due to rabies and more than 27,000 dog bite cases have been reported in the area under the jurisdiction of North Delhi Municipal Corporation this financial year till August, according to figures presented by civic agency at its standing committee meeting.

However, the number of cases is down from last year. In 2014, as many as 46,075 dog bite cases and 20 deaths were reported.

Two dog sterilisation centres will come up in Rohini and Timarpur soon in north Delhi. The North civic agency said 2,209 dogs have been held and sterilised by it with the help of NGOs from April till August 25.