Problem of stray dogs a result of governance failure, says activist

An animal rights activist has criticized calls for stricter measures against roaming dogs, arguing that the issue stems from years of government failure to manage abandonment, breeding and licensing. Rajesh Nagarajan of Lawyers for Animal Rights maintains that stray dogs are not the problem, but rather a consequence of these systemic issues.

He stated that treating animals as the main target is not an effective safety policy, describing it as a deceptive cover story. Rajesh suggested that if real hotspots of dog attacks existed, authorities should identify and address them by removing the specific animals responsible. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between a genuinely dangerous animal and a healthy dog without an owner, as the term "stray" is not a risk assessment.

Rajesh urged the authorities to answer critical questions before any crackdown, such as the number of complaints leading to each attack and the actions taken in response. He also expressed concern over the potential implementation of bounty schemes or mass killing of stray dogs, stating that these measures would not tackle the root causes of the problem.

Instead, he advocated for compulsory identification, regular sterilisation and vaccination programs, enforcement against abandonment, professional evaluation of dangerous animals, and transparent public data.

In cases where there is a clear and immediate threat to a child's safety, Rajesh called for prompt and targeted action against the dangerous animal, rather than a blanket approach to every unowned dog.