The stray dog debate is not about dogs, safety or improving society. It is submission to authoritarianism. 

The mark of an immature society- is to focus on facade alone. The country's new found obsessive projection of the lavish lifestyle, rests on a crumbling foundation of self doubt and uncertainty. 

How did we get here?

We have arrived at this juncture through a complete breakdown of the systems and responsibilities of governance and management. Stray animals globally are a result of human negligence. Dairy animals find themselves turned out or slaughtered when no longer viable for milking, donkeys find themselves living on streets when they are too old and broken to work. The incarceration and exploitation of animals has quietly programmed us to accept our control over animals is absolute. 

What does the term 'stray' mean? 

The term 'stray' has become synonymous with the Indian Pariah dog. While the meaning of the term 'stray' is any dog, cat, animal which has been turned out by an owner and is  homeless. The animal's reality is a result of human negligence. 

The stray debate does not take into account or hold accountable the source. Numerous stray dogs, were in fact pets, turned out by irresponsible pet owners. These dogs add to the street dog population.
Government and administration bear a responsibility. There is no attempt to curb rampant back yard breeders. No attempt to hold pet owners accountable. This ruling is an eye wash and an attack on the most vulnerable. It is a misguided collective punishment on an entire population. 
The reliance on 'someone else' will come along and right all the wrongs are a convenient abandonment of out civic responsibilities.  

Inhumane and unrealistic 

Logical minds know these are exaggerated reports designed to steer public opinion. they want you to believe their fiction instead of verifiable fact. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960  along with The Wildlife Act and other animal welfare laws and rules in India, are widely considered to be some of the most succinct and stringent and well balanced animal welfare laws globally. 

When faced with adversity- incompetence turns to authoritarianism. 

 These 'proclamations" ignore the fact that hundreds of homeless families and people have no other being in the world for companionship other than their dog. Have we descended into such moral depravity that we are going to tear these dogs away from the only carers they have ever known? And deprive these human beings of the only companionship they have? 

 There was a time not so long ago that the Indian Pariah dog was a star with its "15 minutes of fame". They were going to be trained as service dogs for the forces. Understandably every community and street dog cannot be absorbed, but the fact that this was considered, proves the intelligence, tenacity and resilience of the Indian Pariah dog. 

Labels and words matter - 'Dog Menace' and 'Activist' 

Dog Menace

Repeatedly referring to stray dogs as nuisances and menaces is a carefully crafted campaign. Highlight the negatives, suppress the fact that these dogs have peacefully co existed with human beings for decades. As a 'pet parent' if you support this heartless view, then you do not love dogs- you love your dog. Street dogs are not a menace or a nuisance, they are a product of selfishness. 

Activists 

The term is intended to radicalise rational and thought provoking dialogue. An educated and informed citizenry are a danger to government. Whilst an angry divided citizenry are easy to manipulate. 

The "take them home and feed them brigade" are as much victims of divisive policies as are the carers of community dogs. Culling stray dogs is not a solution, incarcerating them is not a solution. The authorities dedicating the adequate resources,  management and infrastructure to a robust sterilisation program is the solution. 

Civilisations grow, change and transform- there are triumphs and failures on the journey. How a country treats the vulnerable is a reflection of its citizenry. 

"People speak sometimes about the "bestial" cruelty of man, but that is terribly unjust and offensive to beasts, no animal could ever be so cruel as a man, so artfully, so artistically cruel"
The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky