Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram expressed concerns over the Supreme Court of India’s recent order regarding stray dogs. In a post on X, he noted that a three-judge bench of the apex court has modified its earlier directive, emphasizing vaccination, sterilisation, and the release of dogs back into the same area where they were found.
He wrote, “The Supreme Court of India via a 3 judge bench has now ruled on the street dogs issue. This overrides the earlier order of the 2 judge bench. The situation on the ground is alarming; we (India) have the highest rate of rabies & dog bite cases in the world.”
Safety Concerns Highlighted
Karti P Chidambaram stressed that India faces serious challenges due to dog bites and rabies. While he acknowledged that strict implementation of the Supreme Court’s order could improve the situation, he questioned whether authorities have adequate resources, manpower, and expertise to enforce it effectively. He added, “The judgement of the SCI, if implemented sincerely & efficiently, might make a difference to the grim reality. But the question remains on whether the implementing authorities have the resources, manpower, expertise, etc? #StreetDogs”
Also Read: Supreme Court Order on Stray Dogs Faces Ground Reality Test in Delhi
Court’s Modified Order
The Supreme Court had earlier, on August 11, directed the rounding up of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR and prohibited their release from shelters. The new directive now allows dogs to be released back to their original areas after sterilisation, vaccination, and deworming. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, clarified that Stray dogs showing aggressive behaviour or infected with rabies should not be released and must be kept in separate shelters. All other dogs must be sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated, and returned to the same location from which they were picked up.
Feeding Guidelines
The court also restricted public feeding of stray dogs and instructed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to set up dedicated feeding spaces in each municipal ward to manage the animals systematically.
Implementation Challenges
While the Supreme Court aims to balance public safety and animal welfare, concerns remain about the practical implementation of the order. Karti Chidambaram’s remarks reflect broader public anxieties regarding rabies prevention, stray dog attacks, and whether municipal authorities can fully comply with the court’s directives.
Also Read: Delhi’s Stray Dogs Face Crucial Day: Supreme Court to Decide on Mass Capture Today
