Star Power, Street Dogs: How Celeb Voices Are Shaping Indias Canine Conundrum
Protests erupted at Delhi's India Gate, where self-proclaimed animal lovers held candle marches. Bollywood celebrities, including Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Sanya Malhotra, also voiced support for stray dogs on social media, urging compassion.
However, critics argue that these public figures often own foreign breeds rather than adopting local strays, questioning the sincerity of their activism.
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सड़क या शेल्टर..'शेरू-टॉमी' के लिए क्या अच्छा? मुनीर को ट्रंप के सबसे बड़े तोहफे का DNA टेस्ट क्या सोने में गिरावट का दौर शुरू हो गया?
देखिए #DNA LIVE Rahul Sinha के साथ#ZeeLive #ZeeNews #DNAWithRahulSinha @RahulSinhaTV https://t.co/crn9bgNU0U — Zee News (@ZeeNews) August 12, 2025
Supporters of the court's decision highlight the growing menace of dog bites. Official data reveals that 10,000 people are bitten by dogs daily in India, with 37.15 lakh cases reported last year alone. Dog bites lead to around 120 rabies deaths in three years and cost the nation approximately Rs 2 lakh crore annually in healthcare and economic losses. Anti-rabies injections alone cost the government Rs 150 crore yearly.
Advocates also point to safety concerns, recalling incidents like the death of 14-year-old Shahvez in Ghaziabad from rabies after a stray dog attack. They accuse elite activists of being disconnected from the struggles of common citizens who face stray dog threats daily.
Some suggest looking abroad for solutions. The Netherlands, now free of stray dogs, achieved this by taxing new dog ownership, imposing heavy fines for abandonment, promoting adoption of strays, and establishing a 'dog police' force.
The debate remains polarised between those who see strays as a public hazard and those who view them as family. As protests and counterarguments grow, the question remains whether India can balance compassion for animals with the safety of its people.
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