CM Rekha Gupta said the new policy will protect human and animal interests, and involve residents and animal caregivers.
| Photo Credit: File photo

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said that the Delhi government is actively working on a long-term and compassionate solution to the Capital’s stray dog population, ensuring that neither the public nor animals are adversely affected.

Her comments came a day after the Delhi High Court directed the administration to frame comprehensive guidelines to “rehabilitate and phase out” stray dogs from public streets and parks.

Speaking at the inauguration of development works in Shalimar Bagh, her constituency, Ms. Gupta responded to an elderly lady who raised concerns over the growing menace of stray dogs in the area.

“I am working on solving the problems caused by stray dogs. This is an issue that affects both people and the speechless animals. The government is searching for a long-term solution in which neither people nor animals are discomforted. It will be a policy matter, and work is in progress,” she said.

Ms. Gupta added that the government is in the process of creating a platform that brings together residents and animal welfare advocates to find collaborative solutions.

“There are existing legal provisions – stray dogs cannot be permanently removed from the streets or kept in shelters indefinitely,” she said. The CM said the proposed policy will have to work within these legal frameworks while addressing public safety and animal welfare concerns.