Supreme Court Urged to Respect Dignity of Street Dogs, Not Banish Them

A concerned citizen has appealed to the Supreme Court to reconsider its order on stray dogs.She expressed dismay over a ruling directing the removal of all strays from Delhi streets.Having grown up with dogs, she emphasized their loyalty and harmless nature toward humans over decades.She argued that street dogs offer companionship, vigilance, and social comfort to many urban residents daily.The law, she stressed, must protect the voiceless, not authorize their exile from shared spaces.

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Stray Dogs Help Control Rats, Crime; Activist Warns of Health Risks if Removed

Citing research from IISER Kolkata, she highlighted that feeding strays does not increase aggression.The study found that dogs shown kindness became calmer and more trusting toward humans nearby.Data from 1,941 dog sightings reported minimal aggressiveness among stray dogs towards people or other animals.She insisted positive human behavior greatly shapes a stray dog’s response and temperament in public settings.Kindness reduces conflict, while fear or abuse escalates tension, making stray removals both cruel and unnecessary.

She argued stray dogs help maintain ecological balance by controlling rats and reducing potential disease outbreaks.Their presence deters criminal activity at night and supports emotional health for isolated or vulnerable individuals.She warned that removing strays might spike rat populations, risking bubonic plague or other major diseases.Rabies, she explained, is not exclusive to dogs but also spread by monkeys, rats, and livestock.Instead of blaming dogs, she emphasized improving access to rabies treatment and government health infrastructure gaps.

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Supreme Court: Dog Bites Linked to Lack of Supervision, Not Animal Aggression

Children, she noted, are more likely to be bitten due to unintentional provocation or lack of supervision.
Research shows dogs react when children move close to their faces or act unpredictably around them.
She argued that adult supervision and awareness are key to preventing such incidents with any animal.
Contrastingly, humans pose far greater risks to children, with over a lakh crimes reported in 2022.Yet, the judiciary rarely initiates suo motu actions in these deeply concerning, child-centric cases of abuse.

She blamed the failure of sterilization programs on unpaid dues by civic bodies to participating NGOs. Many organizations exited Animal Birth Control programs due to crores pending and fear of retaliation from authorities.She urged the Supreme Court to uphold the Constitution by protecting animals through humane, lawful solutions.Rather than remove dogs, she demanded implementation of sterilization and vaccination drives across the NCR region.Finally, she reminded us that a great society safeguards the powerless, not just the powerful among us.

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