India’s supreme court has ordered the immediate removal of thousands of stray dogs from the Delhi capital region, citing canine attacks and the country’s alarming rabies toll.
The sweeping move has set up a clash between public safety advocates and animal protection groups, which say the decision is inhumane.
The order, made by a bench of justices, comes after a review of the city’s stray dog population, which has been growing rapidly in recent years.
Animal welfare groups have criticized the decision, arguing that it is a step backward for the country’s animal rights movement.
They say that the government should instead focus on sterilization and vaccination programs to control the stray dog population.
The court’s order is expected to have a significant impact on the city’s animal population, with thousands of dogs expected to be removed in the coming weeks.
