Critics say Rahul’s stand on SC stray dog directive ignores public safety concerns

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised the Supreme Court’s directive to remove all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi -NCR, calling it a step back from “decades of humane, science- backed policy” and warning that blanket removals are “cruel” and “shortsighted”.
His remarks came a day after the apex court, citing an “extremely grim” situation of stray dog bites and rabies deaths, ordered Delhi- NCR authorities to relocate all street dogs to shelters “at the earliest”. The bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan also warned of strict action against any individual or organisation obstructing the process.
Gandhi said shelters, sterilisation, vaccination and community care could keep streets safe without cruelty. “We can ensure public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand,” he wrote on X.
However, public health advocates and legal experts argue that Gandhi’s stand underplays the urgency of the rabies crisis. They point to data showing rising attacks, particularly on children, and allege that years of inadequate enforcement of sterilisation and vaccination protocols have left the situation unchecked.
The court observed that animal activists and “so -called lovers” could not restore lives lost to rabies, and stressed that “when the situation demands, you have to act”.
Under the order, Delhi authorities must set up shelters for about 5,000 dogs within six to eight weeks, staffed for sterilisation and immunisation, and equipped with CCTV to ensure animals remain in the facilities.
The case, taken up suo motu on July 28, follows repeated reports of severe dog bite incidents in the capital and neighbouring cities. Critics of Gandhi’s position say opposing immediate removals risks prolonging public exposure to a preventable threat, while humane management can still be pursued within shelter- based systems.