India’s highest court has instructed authorities to remove all stray dogs from the streets and relocate them to permanent shelters, causing controversy among animal welfare groups regarding the practicality of the decision, which some believe was made hastily.
Red Paws Rescue, an animal welfare organization in New Delhi, criticized the Supreme Court order, calling it a potential death sentence for community dogs and expressing doubts about the feasibility of mass relocation. Renowned animal rights activist and former BJP MP, Maneka Gandhi, also questioned the decision’s viability in a Facebook video shortly after it was announced, highlighting concerns about the logistics of setting up shelters and providing care for the dogs.
The court’s intervention came after numerous reports in the local media highlighted incidents of stray dog attacks on children in Delhi, some of which were fatal. Statistics based on hospital data suggest that New Delhi witnesses approximately 2,000 dog bite cases daily. According to the World Health Organization, India accounts for a significant portion of global rabies deaths, with a substantial number of cases occurring in children under 15 years old.
In response to the court’s order, Arjun Sen, whose son was severely injured in a dog attack, expressed support for the decision, emphasizing the need to remove stray dogs promptly to prevent further incidents. However, critics, including conservation biologist Bahar Dutt, have raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure to accommodate and care for the large number of dogs being relocated.
The Supreme Court instructed civic bodies in the capital to capture 5,000 stray dogs from high-risk areas and transfer them to shelters with adequate facilities within a specified timeframe. The exact rationale behind the selection of 5,000 dogs remains unclear, with varying estimates from different sources suggesting a much larger population of strays in New Delhi.
The decision has sparked protests, with activists and citizens expressing opposition to the order. Several individuals have been detained by the police during demonstrations against the court’s directive. Additionally, a petition circulating online to reverse the decision has garnered significant support, highlighting the emotional attachment and perceived value of stray dogs in the community.
The ongoing debate surrounding the fate of stray dogs in New Delhi reflects the complex challenges associated with balancing public safety concerns with animal welfare considerations.