New Delhi/IBNS: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has criticised the Supreme Court's order that has asked for the relocation of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelter homes amid the rising cases of dog bites and deaths due to rabies.

Rahul posted on X, "The SC’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR is a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy. These voiceless souls are not “problems” to be erased."

"Shelters, sterilisation, vaccination & community care can keep streets safe - without cruelty. Blanket removals are cruel, shortsighted, and strip us of compassion. We can ensure public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand," the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition added.

The top court on Monday ruled that all stray dogs from the residential localities will have to be shifted to the shelters within eight weeks and any organisation attempting to block it will face the strictest punishment.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan passed the order while hearing the matter after taking note of a news report on deaths due to rabies following dog bites.

The court said it will only hear the Centre's argument and not from any dog lover or a third party in the case.

"We are not doing this for us, it is for the public interest. So, no sentiments of any nature should be involved. Action should be taken at the earliest," Justice Pardiwala said as quoted by NDTV.

"Pick up dogs from all localities and shift them to shelters. For the time being, forget the rules."

The court has ordered the Delhi government, the civic body MCD and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to pick up all stray dogs from residential areas, colonies of Delhi-NCR and place them in shelters.

An adoption of the stray dogs has also been barred by the top court.

The civic authorities in Delhi-NCR have been asked to set up dog shelters, relocate the stray dogs, depute professionals who can tackle, sterilise and immunise the dogs.

The court has asked the civic authorities to give an update on the steps they take.

When Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was asked about his opinion on the matter, he told the court that a site in Delhi was selected for relocation of the stray dogs but the plan was stalled after the animal rights activists obtained a stay order.

"All these animal activists, will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies? We need to make streets absolutely free of stray dogs," the bench said as quoted by the broadcaster.

From January to June this year, over 35,000 animal bite incidents have been reported from Delhi-NCR.

As per the official data produced by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), 49 cases of rabies have been reported in the same period, reports said.