Bengaluru, August 12: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has come out in support of Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's stand on Supreme Court's recent directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR. Siddaramaiah called the removal of stray dogs cruel and also urged humane solutions.
The apex court's order, which is aimed at addressing the stray dog menace, has sparked sharp reactions from the community of animal lovers and political leaders. Karnataka CM also came out in support of the animal rights activists.
Quoting Rahul Gandhi's post on X, Siddaramaiah said, "Treating stray dogs as a nuisance to be ‘removed’ is not governance - it is cruelty. Humane societies find solutions that protect people and animals. Sterilisation, vaccination, and community care work. Fear-driven measures only create more suffering, not safety."
Rahul Gandhi described the SC directive as a “step back” from decades of compassionate policy. He emphasised that stray dogs are not “problems” to be erased and that solutions such as shelters, sterilisation, vaccination and community care can keep streets safe without cruelty. Calling blanket removals “cruel” and “shortsighted,” Gandhi stressed that public safety and animal welfare can and should go hand in hand.
Rahul Gandhi's said, "The SC’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR is a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy. These voiceless souls are not “problems” to be erased. Shelters, sterilisation, vaccination & community care can keep streets safe - without cruelty. Blanket removals are cruel, shortsighted, and strip us of compassion. We can ensure public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand."
Animal welfare groups have also registered their protest against the order, warning that mass removals could lead to increased suffering for the animals and potential ecological imbalance. They argue that sterilisation and vaccination drives have shown proven success in controlling stray dog populations while preventing the spread of rabies.
Siddaramaiah’s remarks add political weight to the opposition against the SC directive, aligning state leadership with calls for humane, long-term solutions instead of short-term removal drives. The protests against Supreme Court verdict has raised another debate in the country, whether India should adopt stricter animal control measures or double down on compassionate, community-based management of stray animals.
