Synopsis:
Stray dogs remain at the heart of a sharp public divide after the Supreme Court orders their removal from Delhi-NCR streets within eight weeks, sparking safety concerns and strong opposition from animal rights groups.
By Qalam Times News Network | New Delhi | August 12, 2025
Court’s Stray Dogs Ruling Divides Public Opinion
Stray dogs have taken center stage in Delhi-NCR after the Supreme Court ordered all free-roaming dogs to be captured and moved to shelters within eight weeks. The directive, issued during a suo motu hearing on the rise in dog-bite incidents, has split the public sharply—while some residents see it as long-awaited relief, animal rights advocates are denouncing it as “impractical, irrational, and inhumane.”
Rahul Gandhi Slams the Move as “A Step Back”
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized the Supreme Court’s stray dogs ruling on X, saying it rolls back decades of humane and science-backed policy.
“These voiceless beings are not a ‘problem’ to be erased,” he wrote, calling for shelter facilities, sterilization, vaccination, and community care to ensure safety without cruelty. Gandhi branded the blanket street ban “cruel” and “short-sighted,” stressing that public safety and animal welfare can coexist.
RWAs Welcome Relief, Cite Safety Concerns
Several Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and civic bodies have welcomed the order, citing frequent dog-bite cases. Atul Goyal, President of United Resident Joint Action (URJA), said the ruling could significantly reduce incidents and even suggested similar measures for stray cattle. Delhi Mayor Iqbal Singh endorsed the decision, promising temporary and permanent shelters within six weeks.
The court has warned that anyone obstructing dog capture will face strict action, and has prohibited returning any captured dog to the streets.
Animal Rights Groups Push Back Hard
Animal rights groups, including PETA India, have condemned the order as unworkable and unlawful. PETA’s Shaurya Agarwal argued that Delhi has nearly one million stray dogs, only half of which are sterilized, and sheltering them all is logistically impossible.
The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO) called the decision “shocking” and contrary to international public health guidelines, Indian laws, and humane practices.
Former Union Minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi labeled the directive “impractical” and “economically unfeasible,” estimating that housing 300,000 dogs in shelters would cost ₹15,000 crore—far beyond Delhi’s budget. She described it as “an angry, strange decision.”
Balancing Public Safety and Compassion
India has reported over 3.7 million dog-bite cases nationwide in recent years, with at least 54 deaths due to rabies. The Supreme Court’s order aims to address this public health issue head-on. However, whether it will genuinely deliver safety or trigger new challenges remains a question that only the coming months can answer.
