Educational institutions across Assam are mounting resistance against a recent Supreme Court directive that mandates the removal of stray dogs from public spaces and educational campuses. Schools and universities argue that their campus dogs are already vaccinated, sterilized, and integrated into the campus ecosystem, making their displacement both unnecessary and harmful.
Institutions Rally for Campus Canines
Tezpur University's animal welfare club has emerged as a vocal opponent of the Supreme Court's decision. The club emphasized that they have strictly followed the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules of 2023, ensuring all campus dogs are sterilized, vaccinated, and properly fed. These dogs have coexisted peacefully with students and teachers for years, becoming an integral part of campus life.
The university club presented a compelling security argument, noting that the presence of vaccinated campus dogs actually enhances safety by deterring unvaccinated or aggressive strays from entering the premises. "The club firmly believes that maintaining a stable, monitored, and vaccinated population of community dogs in situ, rather than displacing them, is the most humane, lawful and effective approach," stated their official position.
Growing Support from Educational Community
Scholars Institute of Technology and Management (SITM) in Guwahati has joined the protest, echoing similar concerns. The institute confirmed that their campus dogs have undergone proper vaccination and sterilization procedures and reaffirmed their commitment to evidence-based and compassionate animal welfare practices.
The movement has gained traction among school-level institutions as well. Siksha Niketan and Nakatha LP school have pledged to continue caring for their campus dogs despite the court order. Tilottama Phookan, a teacher at one of the protesting schools, assured that "We will adhere to the ABC rules, 2023 by facilitating timely vaccination and sterilisation with the help of a local animal welfare organisation."
Balancing Animal Welfare and Public Safety
The educational institutions' appeal highlights the complex challenge of balancing animal welfare concerns with public safety considerations. While the Supreme Court's directive aims to address potential safety risks, institutions argue that removing properly managed and vaccinated dogs could actually compromise campus security and cause unnecessary distress to the animals.
The protesting institutions are seeking reconsideration of the move, suggesting that campuses following ABC rules should be exempt from the removal directive. They propose that properly maintained campus dog populations serve as a model for humane stray animal management rather than a public safety threat.
