Delhi's escalating stray dog population, estimated at one million, has prompted India's Supreme Court to intervene. The court has set an eight-week mandate for local authorities to remove stray dogs from streets into designated shelters due to increasing reports of dog bites linked to rabies. In a region already dealing with rabies deaths—36% of global totals—officials are now under pressure to establish shelters capable of housing thousands, alongside implementing sterilization and vaccination programs.
Congress Takes Action to Curb Delhi's Stray Dog Crisis
Congress Takes Action to Curb Delhi's Stray Dog Crisis
In a bold move, India's Supreme Court mandates the relocation of stray dogs, raising animal welfare concerns amid public health fears.
The court's decision was triggered by soaring dog bite incidents across Delhi and neighboring cities like Noida and Ghaziabad. To bolster public confidence in safety, the court ordered that sterilized dogs must not be returned to the streets, contradicting existing animal care protocols. A helpline is to be created urgently for reporting incidents of dog bites and rabies cases.
Despite the court’s intentions to protect public health, animal rights activists are expressing skepticism over the feasibility of the timeline established. Organizations like PAWS highlight the inadequacy of current shelter capacities, arguing the approach should focus on enhancing existing regulations for effective population management and increased vaccinations. Official government statistics show millions of dog bites annually, with the reported rabies death toll remaining alarmingly high.
As authorities scramble to comply within the designated time frame, the future looks complex for stray dogs in India's urban centers, amid calls for both public safety and animal rights to be prioritized.
Despite the court’s intentions to protect public health, animal rights activists are expressing skepticism over the feasibility of the timeline established. Organizations like PAWS highlight the inadequacy of current shelter capacities, arguing the approach should focus on enhancing existing regulations for effective population management and increased vaccinations. Official government statistics show millions of dog bites annually, with the reported rabies death toll remaining alarmingly high.
As authorities scramble to comply within the designated time frame, the future looks complex for stray dogs in India's urban centers, amid calls for both public safety and animal rights to be prioritized.
