On Monday, the apex court had ordered authorities in Delhi-NCR to permanently relocate all stray dogs from the streets to shelters “at the earliest”
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. File pic
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised the Supreme Court’s directive to remove stray dogs from Delhi-NCR, calling it a regression from decades of humane, science-based policies. He emphasised that “blanket removals are cruel, shortsighted, and strip us of compassion,” reported PTI.
His statement came a day after the Supreme Court ordered authorities in Delhi-NCR to permanently relocate all stray dogs from the streets to shelters “at the earliest.”
As reported by PTI, the apex court observed that the situation caused by stray dog bites, particularly those leading to rabies among children, was “extremely grim.”
Responding to the order, Gandhi 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.”
The SC’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR is a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 12, 2025
These voiceless souls are not “problems” to be erased.
Shelters, sterilisation, vaccination & community care can keep streets safe - without cruelty.
Blanket…
Referring to strays, he added that these voiceless beings 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,” he said, reported PTI.
“We can ensure public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand,” the former Congress president added.
The Supreme Court, while noting that dog shelters would need to be expanded over time, directed Delhi authorities to begin by setting up facilities for around 5,000 dogs within six to eight weeks, reported PTI.
A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan issued several directions, warning that strict action would be taken against any individual or organisation obstructing the process. The court also said such obstruction could lead to contempt proceedings.
"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 stated.
The bench further questioned whether animal activists and “so-called lovers” could restore the lives of children lost to rabies. "Will they put life back to those children? When the situation demands, you have to act," it remarked.
The suo motu case, taken up by the Supreme Court on July 28, concerns the growing incidents of stray dog bites leading to rabies cases in the national capital, reported PTI.
As reported by PTI, on Monday, the top court instructed the Delhi government and civic bodies in Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad to remove all stray dogs and place them in shelters.
It further ordered that shelters be equipped with enough staff to sterilise, vaccinate, and care for the dogs. The facilities must also have CCTV surveillance to ensure the animals remain within the shelter.
(Inputs from PTI)
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