Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 13 : After the Supreme Court ordered to send all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday said that rabies from stray and unvaccinated dogs is a serious problem that causes deaths and suffering every year.
Speaking to the reporters, Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "... Every year, there are deaths due to rabies, and many people suffer because of that. Dog bites and snake bites are a genuine issue. Rabies is due to stray and unvaccinated dogs. Hopefully, some decisions will be made using the Supreme Court order..."
On Monday, the Supreme Court directed the authorities in the National Capital Territory of Delhi to immediately start picking up stray dogs from all localities and shift them to dog shelters. The directions also extend to Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad.
The ruling drew criticism from animal rights organisations. They held a protest in front of the India Gate in Delhi on Monday against the order. The police detained them during the protest.
"They don't want us to talk. These people are throwing everyone into jail. I am being detained because I do the noble work of feeding animals," said a caregiver of dogs while being detained by the police for protesting against the SC order.
Following KN Rajanna's resignation from his cabinet post, Dinesh Gundu Rao said that it was a party decision that must be respected.
He added that Rajanna had agreed to abide by it and would meet the party high command.
"It is a party decision, and it is something that we all have to respect. Even Rajanna has said that he will abide by the party decision, and he has also said Rahul Gandhi is his leader, and he said he will go and explain to the high command. In public life, sometimes when we see TV cameras and mics, we say things that we should not be saying, and we should all be careful of what we say," Rao said.