Stray dogs are everywhere. Outside shops, near bus stops, by the corner where the tea seller sets up. Some are thin, some are strong, all of them learning how to get through the day. Most were born here on the street. A few were left behind by someone. You can usually tell which is which.
They find food wherever they can. Sometimes in piles of leftovers, sometimes from a hand that stops long enough to offer a piece of bread. Water is harder, especially in summer. Illness and injury are part of their lives too, and there is no vet on the corner for them.
People have mixed feelings about them. Some worry about bites or noise. Others think of them as friends who keep watch. Both are partly right. Fear makes some dogs defensive. Kindness makes others wag and follow.
Sterilization and vaccination programmes work better than chasing them away or worse. Many cities have groups who feed them, treat wounds, or help find homes. Not every dog will be adopted, but even small efforts can change the way they live.
They are not just background scenery. They chase away rats at markets. They bark when something feels wrong at night. They curl up in places we pass every day, quietly part of the neighbourhood.
It is not complicated. Respect them. Give space when needed. Offer food or water if you can. We share the same streets. We see the same sunsets. Whether we notice or not, they live alongside us, making our towns and cities feel alive in their own way.
In this Special Report, India Today Legal Editor Nalini Sharma provides details on the Supreme Court hearing regarding the stray dog menace. The Central government has informed the top court that it is working towards a 'complete elimination of rabies due to dog bites' by 2030 under a National Action Plan. During the proceedings before a bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath, the Additional Solicitor General highlighted that while health is a state subject, the Centre is providing fund allocations and coordinating state action plans. Nalini Sharma notes that the Supreme Court has reserved its order on the matter, giving parties one week to file written submissions. The report emphasises the need for negative population growth of stray dogs, which are currently increasing by 10 to 15% annually. The final judgement is expected to provide specific directions to national, state, and local municipal authorities to tackle the growing problem of stray dog bites across India.
In this Special Report, India Today’s Abdul Bashir provides details on a distressing incident from Telangana’s Kamareddy district, where nearly 200 stray dogs were allegedly killed within a week. Abdul Bashir notes that 'A complaint has been filed by a person, activist Adulapuram Gautam, who has claimed that 200 dogs were allegedly killed over the past 2-3 days in Palwancha Mandal.' The report highlights that the dogs were reportedly injected with poison and their carcasses dumped behind a temple across five villages, including Kwanipet and Palwancha. A case of cruelty to animals has been registered against village Sarpanches following the discovery of the mass killings. The incident comes amid a rise in stray dog attacks in the state, with allegations suggesting the killings may be linked to previous election promises made by local authorities. While official responses from the accused are currently unavailable, the complainant has demanded strict action and a thorough investigation into the involvement of those named in the police report.
Ahead of the civic elections on January 15, a major political row erupted after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray targeted BJP leader K Annamalai during a joint rally.
This special report focuses on the pressing civic concerns of Mumbai residents as the city approaches the crucial BMC elections after more than eight years. The most important quote from the speaker is: 'Mumbai needs solutions. Not just slogans, we all know that.' Local residents share their struggles with persistent civic issues such as waterlogging, air pollution, stray dog menace, lack of footpaths, rising cost of living, and road safety. Despite the BMC's massive budget of 75,000 crore rupees, citizens express disappointment that political parties have failed to provide solutions or even acknowledge these problems. Instead, election rhetoric has revolved around identity politics and political controversies, with genuine civic grievances left unresolved.
In this breaking news report, India Today Senior Editor Sagar Raj details the controversy surrounding actor and former MP Divya Spandana (Ramya). Following a Supreme Court observation on January 7, 2026, stating that 'one cannot read a dog's mind,' Ramya posted a remark comparing the mindset of men to dogs. Sagar Raj explains that Ramya questioned if men should be jailed since their minds also cannot be read before crimes like rape or murder. The report further contextualizes this outburst by referencing Ramya's previous vocal stance on the Renuka Swamy murder case involving actor Darshan, where she supported the legal process. Sagar Raj notes that this new post targets those opposing stray dogs, drawing a sharp parallel between unpredictable animal behavior and human crimes.
On 4th January, dog lovers, experts, and activists held a rally at Jantar Mantar to oppose the Supreme Court’s hearing on the stray dogs case.
On this Special Report, citizens gather at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to protest a recent Supreme Court order mandating the removal of stray dogs from transport hubs, schools, and hospitals. One protester, an employee at IIT, argues that dogs in educational institutions are well-cared for and crucial for students' mental health. The demonstrators term the order 'inhuman' and 'unscientific,' citing Article 51A of the Constitution which mandates compassion for every living creature. They assert that the removal of shelters is not sustainable and that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has failed to follow existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules. The group demands strict implementation of sterilization and vaccination programs as the only scientifically proven solution to manage the stray dog population and prevent aggression.
In this Special Report, India Today's Sushant Mehra brings a breaking update on the controversy regarding Delhi school teachers and the stray dog survey.
In this broadcast, India Today's Sushant Mehra reports on the Delhi government's controversial order assigning school teachers to count stray dogs. The Directorate of Education (DoE) stated the task is related to 'public safety' and complies with a Supreme Court order dated 7th November. Mehra highlights that teachers and student associations are opposing the move, arguing they are in schools 'to educate the children, not to count the stray dogs'. The order requires District Education Officers to designate nodal officers for the survey.
In a candid interview with India Today, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury addresses the controversy surrounding her decision to bring a stray dog to Parliament during the Winter Session. Dismissing the threat of a privilege motion with a 'bow wow' remark, Chowdhury asserts she did not call MPs dogs, stating it would be 'insulting to the dogs' who possess loyalty humans lack. She sharply criticizes the government for the ongoing IndiGo airlines crisis, describing it as a 'mess' where passengers are held to ransom. Chowdhury also attacks the ruling party's alleged obsession with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, claiming their agenda is to make people forget his legacy.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the political storm triggered by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury bringing a stray dog to Parliament. Chowdhury defended her action, remarking that 'those sitting inside Parliament bite, not dogs,' and later mimicked a barking sound at reporters when asked about a potential privilege motion. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned her conduct, with leaders demanding strict action for allegedly insulting parliamentary dignity. The programme also features a debate with Congress spokesperson Salman Soz, who highlights the depreciating Indian rupee and economic concerns, and BJP’s Tuhin Sinha, who accuses the Congress of diversionary tactics. Senior Journalist Neerja Chowdhury weighs in on the declining civility in public discourse.
In a candid exchange, an unidentified Member of Parliament discusses the presence of a dog, stating that 'dog is the main topic'. The MP questions whether pets are allowed, noting that while 'pet is not allowed' in the rule book, 'if it is inside the car, it is allowed'. The speaker also remarks on 'spirit dogs' wandering the premises, highlighting the nuances of parliamentary rules regarding animals. The conversation reflects on the current topics of discussion in India.
This special report focuses on a major political controversy in Maharashtra involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, over an alleged land scam. Also in the news, Union Home Minister Amit Shah makes a confident prediction about the Bihar elections, dismissing the opposition's allegations. In an exclusive conversation, Amit Shah stated, 'We will form the government with more than 160 seats and a two-thirds majority'. The programme also covers several other major stories, including a violent farmers' protest in Karnataka over sugarcane prices, a significant technical glitch at Delhi's airport causing widespread flight delays, and new Supreme Court directives on the country's stray dog crisis.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that the NDA will sweep Bihar assembly election with over 160 seats.
This special report details the Supreme Court's sweeping new directives on India's stray dog and cattle crisis, stemming from a suo motu case and a report by Amicus Curiae Gaurav Agrawal. The court has ordered that stray dogs ‘will now have to be removed from schools, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations and sport facilities and will not be sent back after sterilization’. This marks a significant shift from the previous catch-and-release policy under the Animal Birth Control Rules. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria, has given states and union territories eight weeks to report on compliance, mandating the fencing of sensitive areas and the removal of stray cattle from all highways and expressways. The order follows sharp criticism of state governments for failing to enforce existing rules, with the court warning that Chief Secretaries will be held personally responsible for non-compliance.
This special report focuses on a landmark Supreme Court order aimed at curbing the stray dog menace in public areas across India, a directive delivered by a bench including Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria. Citing an 'alarming rise of dog-bite incidents', the court has ordered that stray dogs be removed from the premises of educational institutions, hospitals, and transport hubs and must not be released back into the same area. The ruling marks a significant departure from the previous Animal Birth Control Rules, which mandated returning sterilized dogs to their original territories. Furthermore, the court has directed municipal authorities to ensure these specified areas are fenced to prevent strays from entering. The decision came during a suo motu case monitoring the implementation of animal welfare rules nationwide.
This special report focuses on a landmark Supreme Court order aimed at curbing the stray dog menace in public areas across India, a directive delivered by a bench including Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria. Citing an 'alarming rise of dog-bite incidents', the court has ordered that stray dogs be removed from the premises of educational institutions, hospitals, and transport hubs and must not be released back into the same area. The ruling marks a significant departure from the previous Animal Birth Control Rules, which mandated returning sterilized dogs to their original territories. Furthermore, the court has directed municipal authorities to ensure these specified areas are fenced to prevent strays from entering. The decision came during a suo motu case monitoring the implementation of animal welfare rules nationwide.
This special report covers the panic in Ilkal city of Karnataka's Bagalkot district, where a rabid dog attack left more than ten people injured, including children and the elderly. According to our reporter, 'students have experienced grievous injuries in this particular incident where their lips, face, nose and everything was bitten by the street dog.' Many of the injured, especially children who sustained severe facial wounds, were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment. Following the incident, the local civic administration has launched an operation to capture the dog and has also begun efforts to vaccinate other stray dogs in the area to prevent further attacks.
In a major hearing on the nationwide stray dog menace, the Supreme Court has taken states and union territories to task for inaction, with Amicus Curiae Gaurav Agrawal assisting the court. The Apex Court has summoned the chief secretaries of all states and union territories to answer 'why their compliances have not been filed'. In a significant move, the court has allowed dog bite victims to intervene in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) without submitting the fees required from NGOs. The court is compiling comprehensive data from every state and UT on the number of stray dogs, dog bite cases, and the status of sterilisation and shelter homes. It has also indicated that it will pass directions regarding the feeding of dogs within institutional premises and will monitor the issue continuously, taking suggestions from all parties involved.
