New Delhi: The Delhi Government plans to turn Delhi into the first stray dog free city in the country. The state government will tread a middle-path as per guidelines laid down by the Delhi High Court. Residents have claimed that the number of strays in Delhi is continuing to grow by the day.
Of the 12 crore stray dogs across the country, Delhi has an estimated population of nearly eight lakh, experts say. There are about 2,000 bite incidents daily in the city, it has been claimed.
The High Court has directed the government to formulate an inclusive policy that will take both the safety of the dogs and public convenience into consideration. The state government now plans to rehabilitate street dogs at safer locations, away from human habitation.
Society is divided on the issue of strays. While there are many who complain of harassment by these animals, there are others who believe that strays are harmless, so long as they are fed and taken care of.
Keeping this in mind, a panel led by Justice Mini Pushkarna described the issue as delicate, noting that it extends beyond municipal corporations and holds significant social and administrative importance. The Court has referred the matter to the chief secretary of the Delhi government, instructing the state to formulate a detailed policy.
The Court emphasized that for actions to be effective, policies must be developed with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. In pursuing this approach, the government is required to create a comprehensive and committed policy.
The court instructed that particular attention must be given to the humane aspect throughout the process of removing dogs from the streets. Stray dogs not only threaten public safety but also occasionally fall victim to traffic accidents. Therefore, their organized rehabilitation is essential.
The directive follows a petition moved by Pratima Devi, widely recognized as ‘Dog Amma’. The Court further stated that simply capturing and releasing dogs is insufficient and emphasized the need for a strong strategy and approach.
