Hyderabad: A Supreme Court order mandating the relocation of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets to shelters within eight weeks has triggered intense debate, dividing public safety proponents and animal welfare advocates. Prompted by escalating dog bite cases and rabies concerns, the ruling faced backlash, leading the court to refer the matter to a three-judge bench for review on August 14, rekindling hope for a balanced resolution. The original directive, issued by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, instructed civic authorities to capture strays, especially in high-risk zones, and move them to shelters equipped for sterilization and vaccination. The court highlighted a “dire” situation, noting 26,334 dog bite incidents in Delhi this year and India’s 36% share of global rabies fatalities. Yet, the order’s practicality and ethical implications have been widely challenged. Animal rights advocate and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi criticized the ruling as “unworkable” and “ecologically damaging,” estimating a need for 3,000 shelters at a cost of ₹15,000 crore. She cautioned against ecological disruptions, referencing Paris’s 1880s rat infestation following stray dog culls, and foresaw social tensions with community caregivers. Gandhi also pointed to a prior ruling favoring sterilization over relocation. Actress Sadha, a prominent animal welfare voice, called the order “heartless” and impractical, emphasizing that strays are integral to communities. She pushed for widespread sterilization initiatives instead. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury labeled the directive a “hasty response” that disregards India’s cultural ties to strays, advocating for local vaccination efforts and warning that animal cruelty reflects societal decline. The Supreme Court’s assurance to revisit the case has sparked optimism among activists. PETA India branded mass relocation “unrealistic,” while protests at India Gate saw caregivers briefly detained. As the nation grapples with balancing public health and compassion for strays, all eyes are on the court for a solution that harmonizes both priorities.
Supreme Court’s Stray Dog Ruling Stirs Controversy, Review Offers Hope
