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Hyderabad's Dog Lovers Welcome SC's New Stray Policy

Hyderabad: Dog lovers in Hyderabad rejoiced on Friday after the Supreme Court modified its earlier directive on street dogs, ordering that strays be released from shelters following vaccination, deworming and sterilisation. A key feature of the order is the establishment of designated feeding spaces, with feeding on the streets prohibited and action mandated against those who defy the rule. While dog owners, veterinary doctors and animal welfare officials welcomed the order, they cautioned that feeding spaces must be properly maintained. "I appreciate the court's orders, particularly since dedicated feeding spots were already mentioned in the ABC Rules, 2023, which clarify that Resident Welfare Associations cannot object to feeding but are responsible for identifying suitable locations. Now, the Supreme Court has directed municipalities to take on this role. I am optimistic that this approach can balance public safety and animal welfare. But successful implementation requires more than just municipal orders. Feeding stray dogs at multiple locations actually helps reduce aggression and competition," said Vijay Kishore Palika, joint secretary, Animal Rescue Organisation, former animal welfare officer (AWBI) and former executive secretary, District SPCA. He warned against restricting feeding to a single spot. "When dogs spread across several feeding points, territorial disputes and fights are minimised. Restricting feeding to one corner may increase stress and aggression. Without expert-led planning and continuous monitoring, issues like overcrowding, aggression, poor site selection and enforcement failures may undermine the humane intent of this policy," he added. "On paper, feeding corners look good, but implementing them nationwide is difficult. Municipalities already struggle with basic infrastructure for animals. These spots could become unhygienic or overcrowded unless supported by mass sterilisation, vaccination drives and genuine community involvement. Without that, this will remain a token gesture. The Court has not addressed sterilisation and vaccination strongly enough, which are far more urgent," said Dr Jasleen Kaur, founder of Allvet Pet Clinic. The Supreme Court has asked all states to submit their responses before a national policy is framed. This is likely to include provisions for feeding corners across the country. Local residents, however, offered varied perspectives. "I have been taking care of the dogs in my neighbourhood for 15 years. We already have one fixed spot where we feed them. Ultimately, the resolution must come from the community itself," said P. Susheila, a 53-year-old homemaker from Mahindra Hills, Secunderabad. "I was scared of dogs when I went cycling, but once they got familiar with me, they stopped being scary," said 10-year-old Akash from the same neighbourhood. Two years ago, a pregnant Indian dog in the neighbourhood was cared for by a local resident, who also looked after her litter in the initial days. During this time, the children grew attached to the pups, who are now fully grown and continue to be fed and loved by animal lovers in the area. "This experience has encouraged our children to take responsibility for all animals on our street. Even the cats are equally loved and cared for by them," said Fatima, a resident. "The real challenge lies in enforcement -- defining exact locations, ensuring compliance from feeders and addressing resistance from residents who fear dog gatherings. Since dogs are territorial, shifting feeding areas may cause fights with many returning to old spots. Without regular cleaning and proper disposal of leftovers, feeding corners themselves could become a problem," said Dr Madhulika P.S., CEO of Progressive Canines.

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