New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday criticised the Supreme Court’s directive to move all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR to shelters within weeks, warning that it would lead to “horrendously inhumane” treatment of the animals.

Her remarks came a day after the apex court ordered the authorities in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad to permanently relocate all strays to shelters “at the earliest”.

“The moving of all the city’s stray dogs to shelters within a matter of weeks is going to result in horrendously inhumane treatment of them. Enough shelters do not even exist to take them on,” Priyanka Gandhi said on X.

Describing dogs as “the most beautiful, gentle creatures” who do not deserve such “cruelty”, she stressed that there must be a better way to handle the issue.

Call for a humane solution

“As it is, animals in urban surroundings are subjected to ill treatment and brutality,” the Congress general secretary said.

“Surely there is a better way to manage the situation and a humane way can be found in which these innocent animals are looked after and kept safe as well,” she added.

SC cites “extremely grim” situation

The Supreme Court, while issuing its order on Monday, noted the “extremely grim” situation caused by stray dog bites, leading to cases of rabies, particularly among children.

A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan directed the Delhi government and civic bodies in the NCR to start by creating shelters for around 5,000 canines within six to eight weeks, with facilities to be expanded over time.

(PTI inputs)