A day after the Supreme Court ordered Delhi-NCR authorities to relocate all stray dogs, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed his dismay over the verdict calling it “cruel and shortsighted”. The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition the top court’s verdict takes a step back from decades of humane and science backed policies.
The Congress MP posted on X, “The SC’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR is a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy. These voiceless souls are not “problems” to be erased. Shelters, sterilisation, vaccination & community care can keep streets safe – without cruelty.”
“Blanket removals are cruel, shortsighted, and strip us of compassion. We can ensure public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand,” he added.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed Delhi-NCR authorities to permanently shift all strays from streets to shelters “at the earliest”. The top court noted that there was an “extremely grim” situation due to stray dog bites resulting in rabies, particularly among children.
The apex court said during a suo moto hearing that dog shelters will have to be augmented with time, and directed the authorities in Delhi NCR to start with creating shelters of around 5,000 canines within six to eight weeks.
“If any individual or any organisation comes in the way of such force picking up stray dogs and rounding them up, and if it is reported to us, we shall proceed to take strict action against any such resistance which may be offered,” the bench comprising of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said.
The bench further remarked if the animal activists and “so-called lovers” would be able to bring back children who fell prey to rabies. “Will they put life back to those children? When the situation demands, you have to act,” it said.
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According to the fresh order by the Supreme Court, all strays are to be removed and put in shelters by the Delhi government and civic bodies of Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad.
(With inputs from PTI)
