Delhi given eight weeks to round up hundreds of thousands of stray dogs

The Indian capital has been given a two-month deadline to rid the city of its estimated half million stray dogs, according to officials.

The order, issued by India's Supreme Court, cites growing concerns over mounting dog attacks and the threat to public safety. It gives the city administration and animal welfare department eight weeks to impose a comprehensive sterilization and vaccination program in a bid to control the stray dog population.

The order also calls for the identification and relocation of dogs that are considered particularly dangerous. It further directs the animal welfare department to conduct a public awareness campaign to educate residents on how to avoid and respond to dog bites.

What's next?

The Indian capital has a history of struggling to control its stray dog population, with previous attempts at sterilization and vaccination programs failing to adequately address the issue.