Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated for his unwavering commitment to ahimsa, yet in 1926 he faced a profound conflict when a mill owner in Ahmedabad reported 60 stray dogs had turned rabid. Despite being a known dog lover, Gandhi responded with pragmatic compassion: he agreed that killing these dogs could be necessary when human lives were at risk, calling it a “duty in distress,” not an act of routine cruelty.

Writing in Young India, Gandhi cautioned that unchecked stray dog populations expose society’s moral neglect, stating, “Roving dogs do not indicate the civilisation or compassion of society; they betray the ignorance and lethargy of its members”. He urged that if individuals can’t care for these animals or contribute to welfare efforts, they should stop contemplating the issue. Still, if dogs pose danger and no other solution exists, taking action even violent becomes the lesser evil.

This nuanced stance resurfaced in 2025 amidst a broader debate: India’s Supreme Court ordered the capture, sterilization, and permanent sheltering of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. Proponents emphasize public safety, while critics citing Gandhi question whether relocation without proper infrastructure displaces compassion rather than balances it.