The Silent Curfew: Coexistence with Dogs is a Curfew for Some
- BSP IIT Delhi
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
The Silent Curfew
For some in the IIT Delhi community, the campus does not feel like a haven of learning. It feels like an obstacle course at times. Walking from the Lecture Hall Complex (LHC) to the hostels after a late-night session requires a level of vigilance that has nothing to do with academic pressure. It is the fear of a pack of unpredictable stray dogs that have claimed our walkways as their own.
While this fear is often trivialised as a mere nuisance, it is, in reality, a significant public safety concern. I have examined the data, the legal precedents, and the ground reality. The current coexistence policy is not feasible. It compromises the safety of students, ignores the psychological trauma of victims, and relies on a legal framework that is at odds with reality. We do not need to choose between cruelty and chaos.
The Myth of Docile Stray Dogs
The most common counter-argument from the dog-loving population is the claim that dogs only bite when provoked. This assertion is not only scientifically inaccurate, but it is also dangerous victim-blaming.
A dog is a biological variable with predatory instincts. Aggression can be triggered by factors entirely invisible to a passerby, including a shift in territory, the scent of food, the whir of a bicycle chain, or even the mere presence of another dog nearby. There is no reliable way for a student walking to class to distinguish between a docile dog and one that is having a bad day.
This uncertainty is the root of Cynophobia (the fear of dogs). We cannot expect students to get over a phobia that is often rooted in childhood trauma. For these students, dogs on campus are no different from street dogs. Even though these dogs are said to be well-fed and tame, for many, they still instil the same level of fear. To a phobic student, a dog blocking a hostel entrance is not a community pet; it is a blockade. It chases cars, it howls at invisible threats, and it snaps at delivery drivers. A campus that forces students to confront their fears just to access the mess or the library is failing in its fundamental duty of care.
The Data: A National Emergency
If the psychological toll isn't enough, the physical statistics are terrifying. According to a report by The Economic Times (2025), India records approximately 10,000 dog-bite cases per day, totalling around 3.7 million annually. These numbers represent millions of citizens, including children and students, exposed to trauma, infection, and the fatal risk of rabies. One might assume these cases are restricted to the streets of India, but they have been reported on campus as well. A senior in my hostel was bitten by a dog in his first year. Delivery drivers report being chased, which compromises their safety. If the existing cases are still single-digit, that is more than zero, and for this to happen on an educational campus is just unacceptable. It further blurs the line between the dogs on campus and those on our streets.
These dogs are capable of violence, and humans cannot physically fight them. Hindustan Times recently reported the heart-wrenching case of a 6-year-old boy in Ludhiana who was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs. Was a 6-year-old “provoking" the pack? Or was he simply a victim of a policy that allows predators to roam freely in human settlements? This incident serves as a grim reminder that when we prioritise the freedom of a stray dog over the safety of humans, the cost is often paid in blood.
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Furthermore, the burden of rabies and post-exposure prophylaxis drains public resources. In a closed, high-density environment like IIT Delhi, allowing this probability to unfold is negligent.
The Legal Aspect: ABC Rules vs. The Supreme Court
To understand why the administration appears paralysed, we must examine the legal conflict that is at the root of the issue. The primary roadblock has been the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, released by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. As per the Press Information Bureau (PIB) release, these rules explicitly prohibit relocating dogs. They mandate that dogs be sterilised and returned to the exact location from which they were picked up.
This rule creates a revolving door of danger. Even if the MCD picks up a dog from the Main Gate for sterilisation, they are legally obligated to return it to the exact location from which it was taken. This effectively turns IIT Delhi into a permanent sanctuary.
However, the legal tide is turning. In August 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued pivotal orders (specifically Order 63567, dated Aug 22, 2025) regarding the menace of stray dogs. The Court has begun to recognise that the right to life of citizens, guaranteed under Article 21, includes the right to a safe environment free from the terror of stray animals
In a landmark directive on November 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of India ordered the immediate removal of stray dogs from specific sensitive zones, explicitly citing educational institutions, hospitals, and railway stations
The Supreme Court Observer notes that while the Court balances animal welfare, it has shown little patience for the argument that human safety must take a backseat. The August and November 2025 orders suggest a judicial willingness to view sensitive zones, such as hospitals and educational institutions, as exceptions to the general rule. The Court is acknowledging that a university campus
cannot be treated the same way as a general street.
On January 13, the Court indicated that those who wish to feed dogs should also adopt them and keep them in their homes. They asked dog lovers if they were willing to take responsibility for dog bites. While this may sound harsh, the Court clarified on January 20, 2026, that this was not sarcasm but a serious judicial consideration.
The "Other" Issues
Beyond the immediate threat of violence, the presence of stray packs creates a severe sanitation crisis that has been conveniently ignored. For a regular on the campus, it is common to see dustbins knocked over. This scatters decomposing food waste across campus roads.
This is not just an aesthetic issue; it is a biological hazard. According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), stray dogs act as primary reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens. When dogs scavenge and scatter waste, they create breeding grounds for bacteria like Leptospira and dangerous parasites. These can infect humans through contact with contaminated soil or water.
Furthermore, the dog menace has effectively established a blockade for essential services. Delivery partners from Zomato, Swiggy, and courier services frequently report being chased when entering specific hostel zones.
This aggression is particularly dangerous for anyone on two wheels. In a city where road accidents involving animals are already a leading cause of injury, normalising this risk on a university campus is indefensible.
The Shortcomings of Campus Policies
IIT Delhi has attempted to manage this by following the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which establishes designated feeding spots. The logic is that if you feed them in specific zones, they won't migrate. This has failed as the designated zones often overlap with student transit routes. A dog fed near the Aravali mess doesn't stay there; it patrols the road leading to it.
The Solution: The Dutch Model
Activists scream cruelty the moment removal is mentioned, assuming we want a cull. I do not support the killing of dogs. Mass culling is unethical and ineffective.
Instead, we must look to the Netherlands, the first country in the world to become a nation free from stray dogs. According to Dutch Review, they achieved this through the CNVR (Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return/Rehome) method. This was combined with high taxes on pet purchases (to encourage adoption).
The key difference between the Indian and Dutch models lies in the definition of "return." In India, we return them to the street. In the Netherlands, if a dog cannot be rehomed, it is cared for in a shelter.
This is the model IIT Delhi and the government must advocate for:
1) Removal from Campus: The campus must be declared a zero-stray zone.
2) Establishment of Sanctuaries: Instead of dumping dogs back on the street, the government must invest in large-scale shelters where these animals are fed and treated. Until that is done, the dogs must be relocated from sensitive zones as a first priority.
On February 26, a notice was issued stating that a committee would be formed to investigate issues related to stray dogs and other animals on campus. The committee will ensure the safety of students and will abide by the laws and decisions of the Honourable Courts of India. I think this is a step in the right direction, and I hope that through this committee, the fears of some students can be voiced.
Conclusion: Safety First, Apologies Later
We have reached a breaking point. The coexistence narrative is a luxury belief held by those who do not have to walk past a growling pack at 3 AM. It is easy to advocate for stray rights when you are safely behind a screen. It is much harder when you are the one getting stitches in the IIT Delhi Hospital. I have experienced getting stitches myself.
The adherence to the non-relocation clause of the ABC Rules is incompatible with the safety requirements of a modern university. The Supreme Court's recent interventions in 2025 indicate that the highest Court in India is becoming aware of this reality.
I support removing dogs from IIT Delhi, not because I lack compassion for animals, but because I have a greater responsibility to ensure safety. We deserve a campus where we can walk without fear. We deserve a campus where safety is a guarantee.
Written by - Agya Sanghi
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this opinion article solely belongs to the author and does not constitute the views of BSP.
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