Thousands of dog lovers across the country have once again started protesting.
Like last time, the recent outrcy was triggered by a Supreme Court order that activists have called 'cruel and unconstitutional.'
Protests were largely seen in metropolitian cities, including Delhi and Jaipur. Activists were seen in tears as cops carried them offf the protest sites.
Speaking to news agency ANI, a protestor said, "I don't call myself an animal lover or a dog lover. I am a citizen of this country, and I am here for the sake of humanity. In the Supreme Court's last order, it was said that in the last three years, there have been no deaths due to Rabies. Due to fake reports, they have issued an order to relocate dogs, which will escalate the problem."
Turns out, it has a lot to do with the implementation of the order and than the order itself. The top argument revolves around the lack of preparedness, insufficient infrastructure and untrained staff for humane capture.
A 2019 census says India has about 15 million stray dogs. Even half of them would overwhelm the so-called shelters, which rights groups say barely exist. And we are not even counting cattle right now.
India's dog menace
India is home to millions of stray dogs and deadly attacks, particularly on children and the elderly, are regularly reported by the city's media.
At least 60,000 stray dogs live on the streets of Delhi, according to India's Livestock Census of 2012, the most recent data available.
Some suggest that number to be now far higher, with large rival dog packs patrolling parks and residential neighbourhoods across the city.
The country accounts for more than a third of global rabies deaths, according to the World Health Organization, a crisis exacerbated by a lack of sterilisation programmes and legal restrictions on canine culling.
In middle class neighbourhoods, many of Delhi's strays are beloved by their residents despite lacking formal owners, with some dogs clothed in special canine jackets to keep warm during the winter.
But they are also a hazard to humans, with Indian media regularly reporting on the mauling of young children by aggressive dog packs.
