New Delhi, Aug. 14 -- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced plans to construct dog shelters in all 12 of its civic zones and introduce a dedicated helpline for residents to report stray animals. The move follows recent Supreme Court observations holding local authorities accountable for long-standing inaction in addressing the national capital's stray dog population.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions challenging an earlier directive to relocate stray dogs to shelters. During Thursday's hearing, the bench remarked that the "whole problem" in Delhi-NCR stemmed from the failure of civic bodies to act. The court has reserved its verdict on the matter.

Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh reaffirmed the civic body's commitm...