On Friday, the Supreme Court directed that stray dogs must be removed from areas such as schools, colleges, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots, and railway stations, and placed in designated shelters. The ruling has sparked concern on two fronts. while the administration worries about its implementation, animal lovers are anxious about the future of these dogs.
Many are questioning the practicality of this order. “When the authorities have not yet managed to provide proper shelters for homeless people, is it even possible to build shelters for thousands of stray dogs?” one animal welfare activist asked.
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Animal lovers argue that stray dogs grow up in open spaces. They stay near populated areas like schools, colleges, and hospitals because they can easily find food, often leftovers from people or meals offered by compassionate locals. Forcing them out of their familiar surroundings, they say, will make survival extremely difficult.
At Arambagh Medical College in Hooghly, several stray dogs have been living peacefully for years. They are often seen around the hospital premises, where both patients and staff feed them. The hospital also has a “Maa Canteen,” and leftover food is usually given to the dogs.
An official from the medical college said, “The dogs roam freely inside the hospital, but there has never been a single incident of them biting or chasing anyone. Many of us have grown fond of them. If they are removed because of the Supreme Court’s directive, I, like many others, will feel sad.”
However, the principal of Arambagh Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Ramaprasad Roy, said, “I haven’t received any official order yet. If instructions come from the Health Department or Swasthya Bhavan, we will take necessary action.”
At Goghat Hospital too, several dogs and cats wander around the premises. Dr. Mainak Dutta, the Block Medical Officer of Health, said, “There are two or three dogs here, and they mostly stay outside. There are also a few cats. In all the time I’ve been here, I’ve never heard of any problem involving them.”
Near the Arambagh bus stand, Madhumita Bhattacharya, secretary of the Arambagh Bus-Minibus Welfare Association, feeds stray dogs every day. Deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court’s directive, she said, “Dogs are the most loyal animals. They neither bite unnecessarily nor attack people. While I respect the court’s order, I believe we shouldn’t be inhumane toward them. If each of us arranges a little food for the strays in our area, they won’t wander elsewhere. Caging them in shelters is just not realistic.”
Arambagh resident Sudeshna Adhikari added, “We waste so much food every day. If that could be given to the stray dogs, most of the problem would be solved. Right now, no municipality or rural area has the infrastructure to keep all these dogs in shelters.”
