The Supreme Court of India has sparked nationwide debate by ordering the relocation of stray dogs to shelters, a decision that has divided public opinion. The court's directive follows concerns over attacks by stray dogs and mandates authorities to capture and house them in shelters, though the final verdict is still pending. Comparisons with other countries reveal varied approaches: the US and UK use shelters and euthanasia for aggressive or unadopted dogs, while the Netherlands employs a catch-neuter-vaccinate-return program, eliminating stray populations humanely. In India, Kerala recently authorized painless euthanasia for severely ill stray dogs under specific regulations. Canada has banned commercial import of dogs from certain countries, including India, due to rabies concerns. The Supreme Court's order has faced criticism for feasibility and humane treatment issues, with animal welfare groups advocating for sterilization and vaccination over mass removal. The debate highlights challenges in balancing public safety and animal welfare amid limited shelter resources and rising stray dog populations. (Updated 18 Aug 2025, 22:27 IST; source: link)