India's Supreme Court has recently modified its controversial order that called for rounding up stray dogs in Delhi and its suburbs. The prior directive, which was introduced to combat the rising incidents of dog bites and rabies, faced intense opposition from animal welfare groups, who argued that the execution of such a plan would result in inhumane treatment of the animals. Following widespread protests, the Supreme Court's three-judge bench ruled that non-aggressive and non-infected strays could be returned to their original sites after being vaccinated and sterilized, rather than being confined to shelters as previously mandated.
The court did, however, emphasize that dogs exhibiting rabies or aggressive tendencies must be kept in shelters. Furthermore, the ruling introduced a ban on feeding stray dogs in public spaces, prompting the establishment of designated feeding areas. This change follows a prior order on August 11, which raised concerns over the increasing stray dog population in Delhi, estimated at approximately one million, and the related rise in rabies cases, with India accounting for a significant percentage of global rabies fatalities, as reported by the World Health Organization.
As a response to the backlash and legal challenges to the previous orders, the Supreme Court has initiated plans to create a cohesive national policy on the management of stray dogs, promising to address similar pending cases across various states. Animal advocates welcomed the latest ruling, which highlights the need for more humane approaches in dealing with the issue of stray dogs, emphasizing vaccination and neutering over shelter confinement that could lead to overcrowding and potential culling. The court's decision signifies a balance between public safety measures and animal welfare considerations in the ongoing dialogue about the fate of Delhi's stray dog population.
