NEW DELHI (AP) — No stray dogs roaming the streets of New Delhi?
That could be possible in the future after India’s top court ordered authorities in New Delhi to start removing all stray dogs from the streets, and to sterilize and relocate them to shelters permanently.
In its order Monday, the Supreme Court directed the capital's civic bodies to immediately initiate the process of capturing 5,000 stray dogs from “high-risk areas” for now and send them to shelters equipped with adequate staff and CCTV surveillance within six to eight weeks.
It is unclear how the court arrived at the figure of 5,000 stray dogs. Various estimates put the number of strays in New Delhi between 500,000 to one million.
While many of the dogs that roam New Delhi's streets are harmless, the court's order aims to control rising dog biting cases, including cases involving children. Some estimates, based on hospital records, suggest New Delhi sees nearly 2,000 dog bite incidents every day.
“The situation is extremely grim,” the court said in its order, adding that it was passed while “keeping (the) larger public interest in mind.”
“Infants, young children should not at any cost fall prey to stray dogs,” it said.
The court also ordered authorities to create an animal helpline within a week so that all dog bite cases in the capital can be reported. It said any individual or organization that stops authorities from removing stray dogs from the streets will face “strict” legal consequences, while adding the strays should not to be released back on streets, in residential areas or in public places.
Animal lovers and activists had earlier opposed the court taking up the case. On Monday, the court chided them too.
“All these animal activists … will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies?,” the court asked.
Rabies through dog bites is caused by a virus that invades the central nervous system. If left untreated, it is almost always fatal.
Shortly after the court's order, a senior minister of the state legislature in Delhi said his government will begin the process of rounding up the strays. Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra said the court's order is a step towards freeing New Delhi “from the fear of rabies and stray animals.”
“Special attention will also be given to the comprehensive welfare of stray animals,” Mishra said in a post on X.
FILE - Commuters and stray dogs take shelter at a metro station from rain in New Delhi, India, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File)
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Brent Rooker homered twice and had a career-high six RBIs, including a three-run shot in the bottom of the 10th inning that gave the Athletics a 12-10 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Tyler Soderstrom hit a bases-loaded triple and scored three times for the Athletics, who rebounded from an 11-0 defeat Saturday and took two of three games from Houston for their first series win this season.
Shaking off a cold start at the plate, Rooker launched his first homer of the year in the seventh. The two-run shot snapped a 5-all tie and sparked a four-run inning. It was his 100th homer with the A’s, who finished with 16 hits.
Houston pulled even with four runs in the eighth. Jake Meyers homered, Jose Altuve had an RBI double and Cam Smith tied it at 9 with a two-run single.
Carlos Correa gave the Astros a 10-9 lead with an RBI single in the 10th before Rooker connected against Bryan Abreu (0-1).
Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker each had a two-run homer for Houston.
Elvis Alvarado (1-0) got two outs for the win. Athletics starter Jacob Lopez struck out six in 4 1/3 innings. He allowed three hits, three runs and five walks.
Lance McCullers Jr. gave up three runs and five hits in four innings for the Astros.
The Astros continue their 10-game trip Monday at Colorado, where Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the ball. Houston had not announced a scheduled starter to replace RHP Hunter Brown (1-0, 0.84), who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.
The Athletics have an off day Monday before facing the Yankees in the Bronx on Tuesday night. RHP Aaron Civale (1-0, 3.60 ERA) pitches against New York RHP Cam Schlittler (2-0, 0.00).
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Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. throws to the Athletics during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom (21) hits a three-run triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21) attempts to get Athletics' Max Muncy (3) out at home during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 5, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics' Lawrence Butler, left, and Max Muncy dump Gatorade on Brent Rooker, right, after he hit a walk-off three-run home run during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Sunday, April 5, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics' Brent Rooker runs the bases after hitting a walk-off three-run home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Sunday, April 5, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
