Animal Welfare Collective Advocates for Scientific Approach to Stray Dog Management
In a significant development following the Supreme Court's recent suo motu judgment, India4Animals, a collective of animal welfare advocates, has presented compelling statistics emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen animal birth control (ABC) programs across Indian cities. The data, derived from the 2019 livestock census and affidavits filed by chief secretaries in court, reveals critical gaps in addressing the growing stray dog population effectively.
Panel of Experts Highlights Governance and Accountability Issues
A distinguished panel comprising parliamentarians, legal professionals, activists, administrators, and civil society representatives addressed a press conference organized by the forum. They unanimously maintained that the core issue is not a conflict between animals and humans but rather one of governance, accountability, and scientific policy implementation. The experts reiterated that mass sheltering, as directed by the court, is neither sustainable nor humane, suggesting that funds earmarked for building kennels could be better utilized in other priority areas.
The panel members jointly stressed that municipalities must transition from reactive measures, such as culling, to proactive strategies including sterilization, vaccination, accountability mechanisms, and public awareness campaigns. This shift is seen as essential for creating long-term solutions to the stray dog challenge.
Technological Solutions and Political Will Proposed
Priyanka Chaturvedi, Member of Parliament from Shiv Sena UBT, called for the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced technology to enhance transparency in municipal operations. She advocated for auditing municipal expenditures, creating transparent data dashboards similar to those introduced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and integrating AI tools to manage sterilization, vaccination, and complaint redressal systems effectively.
"This technological approach will ensure accountability of all stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations engaged in ABC sterilization, particularly in cases of poor performance," Chaturvedi emphasized.
Anjali Gopalan, a prominent activist and resident of Gulmohar Park, underscored that meaningful progress requires strong political will. "In my area, we did not witness an increase in the dog population due to coordinated efforts by residents," she noted. Citing the Netherlands as a successful example, Gopalan highlighted the effectiveness of adoption drives and strict breeding controls in managing animal populations humanely.
Addressing Polarization and Legal Frameworks
Some experts expressed concern that the Supreme Court's judgment has intensified polarization between community animal caregivers and those advocating for the permanent removal of street dogs. This divide has reportedly led to incidents of violence against animals as well as feeders and caretakers, exacerbating the situation.
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury pointed out that cruelty towards animals often precedes violence against humans, emphasizing the need for strengthened legal frameworks. "Not all dogs bite, and there is an urgent need to strengthen and amend laws accordingly," she stated. Referring to recent campaigns where over 120-130 indie dogs were adopted, Chowdhury asserted that humane solutions are viable when backed by genuine intention and effort.
Controversial Practices and Funding Concerns
The discussion also touched upon controversial incidents, such as the reported wave of stray dog culling in Telangana in January, where estimates suggest hundreds of dogs were killed within a month. Reports indicated the absence of ABC centers in several districts of the state, highlighting systemic failures. Chowdhury termed this situation "unfortunate" and clarified that no policy direction has ever endorsed such practices.
Advocate Poulomi Pavini Shukla raised critical questions about the allocation of funds for dog shelters, noting that key human welfare sectors remain under-funded. She cautioned that large-scale sheltering could trigger health crises for both animals and humans, advocating for a more balanced and scientifically sound approach to resource allocation.
The collective call from India4Animals and the expert panel underscores a pressing need for municipalities to adopt humane, transparent, and technology-driven strategies in managing stray dog populations, ensuring both animal welfare and public safety through improved governance and accountability.
