Days after a Supreme Court directive highlighted the issue of stray dogs in Delhi, tensions have escalated. Animal advocates face hostility while critics emphasize safety concerns due to aggressive behaviors from some strays.
Megha Malhotra, who has fed strays for nearly two years, notes a shift in her residential complex where feeding them has become contentious. I enjoy taking care of them, she says, but growing resistance from residents has made her confront interactions about the practice.
The clash stems from a recent Supreme Court order modifying earlier mandates for managing the stray dog population. It directed civic authorities to vaccinate and sterilize strays but also banned feeding them in public spaces, causing confusion among residents.
Animal lovers argue that most strays don't pose a threat and need compassion, while opponents cite safety concerns as packs often chase children and the elderly, leading to reported dog bites.
Despite widespread awareness of the strays' presence, India lacks a comprehensive approach for managing them, relying largely on the Animal Birth Control program, which aims at population control through sterilization and vaccination.
Activists emphasize the role of feeders as integral to maintaining a safe environment for both humans and dogs. They argue for a balanced approach, combining compassion with caution, to foster a harmonious coexistence in densely populated areas.
As the debate persists, municipal officials are striving to create designated feeding zones to ensure safety while encouraging responsible care of stray dogs.
