India’s Supreme Court has dropped its plan to round up all stray dogs in Delhi, reversing a previous order that sparked widespread protests from animal welfare groups. The court modified its decision, allowing non-aggressive and healthy dogs to be released back into the wild after being vaccinated and sterilized.
The three-judge bench ruled that dogs with rabies or aggressive behavior must be immunized and kept in shelters. It also banned feeding stray dogs in public spaces and ordered dedicated areas for their care. The court’s change of heart follows concerns over the rising number of dog bites leading to rabies in Delhi and its suburbs.
The city’s estimated one million stray dog population, including those in surrounding cities like Noida and Ghaziabad, has raised alarm bells among health officials. India is home to millions of stray dogs and accounts for 36% of global rabies-related deaths. The court’s decision aims to strike a balance between animal welfare and public safety.
Animal welfare groups have welcomed the ruling, describing it as “balanced, structured, and compassionate.” However, some have called for a clear criteria to be established to identify aggressive dogs, citing concerns that the order could lead to unjustified capture and confinement.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yejnze4p1o