Supreme Court’s Stray Dog Ruling Lauded as Breakthrough by Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi hails SC’s revised directive on stray dogs as compassionate and scientific.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has hailed the Supreme Court’s revised directive on stray dog management as a “progressive step” toward balancing animal welfare and public safety. The ruling, issued on Friday by a three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, modifies an earlier August 11 order and introduces a humane and scientifically grounded approach to handling stray dogs in Delhi-NCR.
The Supreme Court’s new directive mandates that stray dogs in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram be sterilized, vaccinated, dewormed, and released back to their original localities. This reverses the previous prohibition on releasing stray dogs from shelters, which has been put in abeyance. However, dogs infected with or suspected of having rabies, or those exhibiting aggressive behavior, are exempt from release and must be kept in separate shelters after sterilization and immunization.
In a post on X, Gandhi expressed his support, stating, “I welcome the Supreme Court’s revised directions on stray dogs, as it marks a progressive step toward balancing animal welfare and public safety. The approach is both compassionate and rooted in scientific reasoning.”
Also Read: SC’s Landmark Stray Dog Ruling Brings Relief and Joy
The bench, which also includes Justices Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria, further instructed municipal authorities to continue rounding up stray dogs while ensuring compliance with the new guidelines. Additionally, the court directed the creation of dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs in each municipal ward to promote organized care and reduce conflicts with residents.
This ruling addresses long-standing concerns about stray dog populations and public safety in the Delhi-NCR region. By prioritizing sterilization, vaccination, and localized release, the Supreme Court’s directive aims to foster a sustainable and compassionate solution to the issue.
Also Read: Sambhal Mosque Case on Hold Until August 25
