Stray dogs are a delicate issue—requiring a balance between animal compassion and public safety. Recently, the Supreme Court of India revised its directive, allowing sterilized dogs back on the streets and striking a more humane, science-based approach. In this video, Sonia and Deepak discuss why this change matters, how it merges welfare with responsibility, and why scientific temper must guide social policies.
00:09Deepak stray dogs once were simply chased away, but now something is changing.
00:14Yes Sonia, the Supreme Court has just reversed its earlier order to shelter stray dogs.
00:19Now only sterilized, vaccinated and dewormed dogs can return to where they were found.
00:24Even in Delhi NCR, aggressive or rabid ones must be kept away.
00:28That's a big shift. Previously there was mass relocation, which was logistically and financially impossible.
00:35This new order costs about Rs 2,500 crore and allows humane, community-based management.
00:41Exactly. It's based on the ABC protocol, animal birth control, treat, sterilize, vaccinate and release.
00:50It's the most scientifically supported approach for controlling stray populations humanely.
00:56From a dog welfare perspective, this is vital. Sterilized dogs don't overbreed and vaccination reduces rabies risk for both dogs and people.
01:05Plus, studies show that feeding zones and helplines reduce conflicts because communities know where and when to seek help, not take matters into their own hands.
01:15Right. But what about public safety? Aggressive or rabid dogs are still dangerous.
01:20The court addressed that dogs showing aggression or symptoms of rabies must not be released.
01:26States must create policies, safe feeds, health tracking, designated zones.
01:32It places responsibility on local governments, not citizens or NGOs alone.
01:38Some residents say this creates feeding clusters that attract more strays and risk attacks.
01:42That concern is valid. But if feeding zones are carefully planned in low-traffic areas with adequate supervision and veterinary support, risks drop significantly compared to unmanaged feeding everywhere.
01:55In essence, this approach combines science with compassion.
01:58Absolutely. It respects animal welfare while protecting public health.
02:03One of the best examples of scientific temper in action.
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