Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has urged a reassessment of how stray dog management funds are allocated, advocating for direct support to reputable animal welfare groups instead of channeling money through municipal bodies.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor argued that the core issue isn’t a lack of funding but the inefficiency or unwillingness of local authorities to effectively carry out sterilisation and sheltering programs. He noted that funds often remain unused or are misdirected and suggested that NGOs with a track record in operating shelters and managing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme are better equipped to handle the task.
Tharoor emphasized the need to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and treating animals with compassion. He viewed the Supreme Court’s recent directive as a result of growing frustration with municipal inaction.
His remarks follow the Supreme Court’s August 11 order, which labeled the rise in dog bite cases as a deeply troubling issue. The court instructed authorities in Delhi NCR to begin the immediate and permanent relocation of all stray dogs and mandated the construction of shelters for around 5,000 dogs within six to eight weeks, with further expansion to follow. It also warned that anyone interfering with the relocation effort could face contempt of court.
