Jharkhand Animal Lovers Voice Strong Opposition to Supreme Court Directive
Animal rights activists and dog lovers throughout Jharkhand have expressed vehement opposition to the Supreme Court's recent directive ordering the removal of stray dogs from public spaces. The ruling, issued on Friday, mandates all states and Union Territories to clear stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots, and railway stations.
Supreme Court's Comprehensive Animal Control Measures
The apex court took serious note of the alarming increase in dog bite incidents occurring in institutional areas. A three-member bench specifically directed that stray dogs removed from these facilities must not be returned to their original locations. In a broader animal control measure, the court also instructed the National Highway Authority of India to ensure the removal of cattle and other stray animals from highways and expressways, relocating them to designated shelters.
Implementation Challenges in Jharkhand
Following the Supreme Court's decision, animal activists in Jharkhand immediately raised concerns about severe consequences for street animals. The state's critical shortage of government-run dog shelters presents a major implementation hurdle. Activists argue that the directive will negatively impact stray animals without proper infrastructure to support them.
Ranchi-based animal activist Neel Mazumdar questioned the practical implementation of the order in Jharkhand. "The big question emerging from the SC order is how it can be implemented in Jharkhand, given the complete absence of government dog shelters in our state", Mazumdar stated. "If stray dogs are removed from their current locations, they literally have nowhere to go. Without shelters, where will these dogs be housed, and who will provide proper care? This order will face strong resistance from animal activists because it doesn't adequately consider stray animal welfare."
Increased Risk of Animal Cruelty
Jamshedpur activist Vivek Darihare warned that the Supreme Court order could lead to increased cruelty against stray dogs. "In Jamshedpur, many housing societies already ban stray dogs from their premises, which frequently causes conflicts between animal lovers and residents", Vivek explained. "With this court order, residents might misuse the directive to justify cruel behavior toward animals. Furthermore, no official stray dog survey has ever been conducted in our region. Without reliable data, how can the government effectively plan or construct shelters? Issuing such an order without proper infrastructure is completely unjustified."
An official from the state animal welfare board, speaking anonymously, confirmed that while Jharkhand currently lacks adequate stray dog shelters, the government is actively working to establish proper facilities for animal rehabilitation. This development suggests that long-term solutions might be in the planning stages, though immediate implementation challenges remain significant.
