Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has strongly criticised the Supreme Court’s recent directive ordering the removal of all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR within eight weeks, calling it a move that could lead to “horrendously inhumane” treatment of animals.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Priyanka expressed concern over the lack of infrastructure to implement the court’s order, stating that there simply aren’t enough shelters in the region to house all stray dogs.

“The moving of all the city’s stray dogs to shelters within a matter of weeks is going to result in horrendously inhumane treatment of them. Enough shelters do not even exist to take them on,” she wrote.

Highlighting the broader issue of animal welfare in urban spaces, she added, “As it is, animals in urban surroundings are subjected to ill-treatment and brutality. Surely, there is a better and more humane way to manage the situation — one in which these innocent animals are looked after and kept safe as well.”

She concluded her post with a heartfelt appeal, writing: “Dogs are the most beautiful, gentle creatures. They do not deserve this kind of cruelty.”

### What the Supreme Court Ordered

On Monday, the Supreme Court directed authorities in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to round up **all stray dogs** within **eight weeks** and move them to designated dog shelters. The court emphasized that **no captured dogs should be released back onto the streets**.

A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan issued the order while hearing a suo motu case regarding the “alarming and disturbing” rise in stray dog attacks.

The court also warned that any individual or group obstructing the implementation of the order would face **contempt proceedings**. Additionally, it instructed authorities to set up a **helpline** for registering dog bite complaints, with the mandate that the offending dog be picked up **within four hours** of the report.

“Whether sterilised or not, the society must feel free and safe. You should not have any stray dogs roaming around,” the bench said.