Only 14 of 292 dog feeding spots functional in Delhi

Walking through the lanes of the national capital, it’s hard to miss the sight of stray dogs which have become an inseparable part of Delhi’s urban landscape. Despite the Supreme Court’s direction to create designated feeding points for community dogs, many residents continue to feed strays in public spaces.

A month after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said it had identified 292 feeding points across the city, following the Supreme Court’s order, The Tribune found that only 14 are currently functional, with boards marking them as official feeding sites. Of these, officials shared details of just four locations, all situated in the Central Zone.

According to the data shared by the civic body, West Zone has the highest number of feeding points (60), followed by Najafgarh Zone (54). The Central Zone has only four points, all around Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, while Sadar Paharganj Zone has eight. Civil Lines has six, Karol Bagh 15, Keshav Puram 29, Rohini 29, Shahdara North 15, Shahdara South 40 and South Zone 16. These locations were finalised in consultation with councillors, Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs), and local officials.

The Supreme Court, in its order dated August 22, 2025, had directed the civic authorities to identify and notify designated areas for feeding stray dogs while prohibiting feeding in open public spaces, such as streets. However, a ground inspection of the feeding points revealed that implementation remains poor and the placement of some feeding points questionable.

One such spot near Jangpura Metro station Gate No. 3 has turned into what locals describe as a “messy corner,” littered with garbage and stones. “People used to feed dogs here earlier as well. Around 15 days ago, the MCD put up a board declaring it an official feeding point,” said Totaram, a stall owner who has worked in the area for over two decades.

“A woman comes every morning and a young boy in the evening to feed the dogs,” he said. Another feeding point near Gate No. 17 of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is placed at the centre of a roundabout - a location that locals say poses safety risks. “It’s almost in the middle of the road,” said Ramesh, an auto driver. “Feeding dogs there could cause traffic hazards. We often see dogs running across the road. It’s risky for both animals and commuters,” he said.

In the nearby Pragati Vihar residential area, just a short walk from the designated feeding point, a different dilemma unfolds. Outside one of the gated societies, a board clearly states, “No feeding outdoor animals here,” yet residents say the rule is often ignored.

“Every evening, a woman comes all the way from Dilshad Garden to feed dogs inside the premises. It has led to repeated arguments. Despite people asking the woman to feed the animals outside the society premises, she does not listen,” said Mukesh Chaudhary, a security guard posted at the gate. “There have even been multiple cases of dog bites in the society,” he added.

Another board marking a feeding point near Bhishma Pitamah Marg, close to Gate No. 3 of the stadium, has been set up along a pedestrian path. “It’s not a good idea to make this a feeding spot,” said Varun, a passer-by. “People who are scared of dogs might not even use the footpath and there is a road with running traffic on the side,” he said.

Former Union Minister Vijay Goel, who has been vocal about stray dog attacks, expressed scepticism about the initiative’s success as well. “I am not hopeful that dogs will actually be fed at these designated points,” he told The Tribune. “Until there’s proper enforcement and penalties for violations, these orders won’t be implemented effectively,” he said. Despite the MCD’s claims of progress, the ground reality paints a different picture, one of confusion, poor planning and limited execution. As the city grapples with the growing stray dog population, Delhi’s much-publicised feeding point plan seems to be struggling to take root.