The Supreme Court ordered the removal, sterilization, and placement in shelter homes of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR. Rahul Gandhi described this move as cruel, short-sighted, and a retreat from humane policy.
Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has bly reacted to the Supreme Court's order to remove stray dogs from Delhi-NCR. He described this step as a retreat from decades-old human and science-based policy. Rahul Gandhi says that the solution to this issue lies not in eliminating these voiceless creatures, but in humane care.
Supreme Court's Directive
On Monday, the Supreme Court took a strict stance on the increasing problem of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. The court directed that all stray dogs be caught, sterilized, and permanently kept in shelter homes.
The order stated that shelter homes should be built within eight weeks, and a campaign to capture 5000 dogs should begin in six weeks. This action will start from sensitive areas, and strict action will be taken against those who obstruct it.
Rahul Gandhi's Statement
Rahul Gandhi said that the Supreme Court's order is a retreat from the scientific and humane approach. He said,
“These voiceless creatures are not a problem to be eliminated. Shelters, sterilization, vaccination, and community care are the only ways to keep the streets safe, and that too without cruelty.”
He described it as a cruel, short-sighted, and compassionless step, and said that public safety and animal welfare can be ensured simultaneously.
Court's Suo Motu Cognizance
On July 28, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the deaths caused by rabies due to stray dog attacks. The court described these incidents as alarming and frightening. Following this, the court ordered that the process of large-scale sterilization and construction of shelter homes should begin to control the situation.
Cases of stray dog attacks and rabies are continuously increasing in Delhi-NCR. People, especially children, are becoming victims of attacks in many areas. Meanwhile, animal rights activists and several social organizations say that collectively removing dogs is neither a solution nor humane.
