ARINDAM GANGULY, OP
Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court’s directive to permanently remove stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR has sparked significant backlash in Odisha, with animal welfare activists and citizens questioning its feasibility and compassion.
The bench, headed by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, issued the order in response to rising dog bite cases but ruled out the return of sterilised dogs to their original locations. The directive also warned of penalties for obstructing dog removal. While the order is currently applicable only to Delhi-NCR, it has triggered debate in Odisha, home to the country’s second-largest stray dog population, at 17.34 lakh (2019 Livestock Census).
Since January 2023, over 5.2 lakh dog bite cases have been reported in the state. Animal rights activists like Purabi Patra of Animal Welfare Trust Ekamra stressed the importance of Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes over mass sheltering. “Permanent sheltering is unrealistic and costly,” she said. Activist Neha Mohany echoed concerns about the lack of resources, calling the order “impractical and dangerous.” Residents, however, are divided. Animesh Pradhan, a dog bite victim, acknowledged the risks and urged faster action from local authorities.
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Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has begun sterilising nearly 70,000 stray dogs. Still, public anxiety remains high, especially after fatal attacks—including the recent death of a para-athlete in Bolangir and a child in Puri, where the Orissa High Court ordered compensation. Animal cruelty incidents have also risen, with dogs beaten to death in Bhubaneswar’s VSS Nagar and Berhampur. Actress Elina Samantaray and other animal lovers say stray dogs deserve compassion, not confinement.
