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'Even stray dogs have a right to live': India's Supreme Court rules

Not many agree.

Sohini Mitter

on January 18, 2017

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

India's apex court has weighed in resoundingly on a petitioner who wanted all stray dogs killed. It has observed that "nobody can destroy stray dogs in entirety. They also have a right to live," the Press Trust of India reported.

However, a methodical culling is possible, it has said.

The apex court has been hearing a series of petitions filed by NGOs and civic bodies across the country on stray dogs that have become a menace, especially in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

The bench informed that a panel headed by a former Kerala High Court judge had received around 400 matters related to dog bites and it was working on it. Some deaths have also been reported.

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In September last year the Supreme Court had called for compassion towards street dogs. But it had also warned, "These animals cannot be allowed to become a menace to the society. A balance needs to be created for dealing with such situation.”

In Kerala, one of the petitioners is reportedly building dog shelters in his area and has been asked by the apex court to submit a concrete proposal.

Most Indians seem unhappy with the "poor judgement" though. They lashed out at the Supreme Court for not valuing human lives.