Updated: August 13, 2025 02:21 PM IST
“The thoughtful response to the problem that is affecting common citizens in every city.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has called for a reconsideration of how funds are used for stray dog management, suggesting that they should be broadcast directly to reliable animal welfare organizations rather than municipalities.
In a post on X (East Twitter), Tharoor stated that the challenge was not the absence of resources, but the reluctance or inability of local bodies to fulfill sterilization and shelter efforts – even when they receive the necessary funds.
He said that such allocations often become unexpected or not used where they need the most. Instead, he proposed that NGOs and animal welfare groups be given money with a proven record of running funds and implementing animal birth control (ABC) program, arguing that they were better deployed to give results.
Tharoor emphasized the importance of balanced public safety with human treatment of dogs, forming the recent intervention of the Supreme Court as a product of “understandable exaggeration” on municipal inactivity.
After the Supreme Court on August 11, his comments described an increase in the incidents of dog bite as “extremely serious” status and ordered permanent transfer of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR “as soon as possible.
A bench of Justices JB Pardwala and R Mahadan also directed Delhi authorities to build shelters for about 5,000 canine within six to eight weeks, which can be expanded in stages. The court warned that any obstacle in the rehabilitation drive can invite contempt proceedings against individuals or organizations.
