Why this Stray Dogs order? Rabies and dog bite crisis
Stray dogs have become a growing concern in Delhi-NCR, with rising cases of dog bites and rabies. The Supreme Court’s recent order directs the removal of stray dogs from public streets to protect public safety. Supporters of the move believe it will reduce attacks, especially in densely populated areas, and help curb the spread of rabies, which remains a public health issue in India.
Safety vs. Compassion: The debate
While the order aims to make streets safer, it has triggered a debate between public safety advocates and animal rights supporters. Some residents welcome the move, saying it’s necessary to protect children, the elderly, and pedestrians. However, others believe that stray dogs, many of whom are harmless, are being unfairly targeted without addressing the root causes of the problem.
Why activists call it “unscientific”
Animal rights groups have criticised the Supreme Court’s directive, calling it “unscientific” and ineffective in the long term. They argue that simply removing stray dogs does not solve the problem, as new dogs will take their place unless a proper sterilization and vaccination programme is implemented. Experts point out that removing dogs disrupts their social groups, often making the remaining ones more aggressive.
How shelters, caging may fail
One of the major challenges is the lack of capacity in existing animal shelters. Delhi’s shelters are already overcrowded, and capturing thousands of stray dogs would put further strain on resources. Long-term caging can also harm the animals’ mental and physical health, leading to aggressive behaviour. Without proper infrastructure, this approach may create more problems than it solves.
Better alternative: Sterilization & vaccines
Many experts and NGOs believe that the most effective solution lies in large-scale sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination drives. This method, supported by the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules, ensures the dog population is managed humanely and public safety is maintained. Successful examples from other Indian cities show that such programmes can significantly reduce stray dog numbers and bite cases over time.
The debate over stray dogs in Delhi-NCR is far from over. While the Supreme Court’s order prioritises public safety, critics believe that long-term, scientific, and humane methods like sterilization and vaccination offer a better path forward than mass removal or caging.
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