On Sunday, dog lovers in Shillong, Meghalaya protested against the Supreme Court’s directive to remove stray dogs from various public spaces, including educational institutions and hospitals. The court instructed all states and Union Territories to relocate these dogs to designated shelters after implementing sterilisation and vaccination, according to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. The protesters, gathered at Khyndailad, held placards with messages advocating for compassion towards community dogs and emphasizing the importance of ABC and vaccination.
Local residents voiced their concerns, noting that the real issue lies with human behavior rather than the dogs themselves. They argued that removing dogs would disrupt the community, particularly affecting local feeders who care for them, and pointed out that many of the captured dogs are friendly. One participant likened the potential gathering of stray dogs in shelters to public health risks seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that it could facilitate disease spread.
Referencing successful dog population control measures in states like Goa and Mumbai, attendees emphasized adopting similar strategies to manage stray populations sustainably without inducing conflict. Another protestor, who has dedicated years to rescuing and caring for strays, criticized the feasibility of the Supreme Court’s shelter proposal, asserting that her extensive involvement in caring for dogs showcases the community’s commitment to humane treatment over mass removal.