India, Aug. 13 -- Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has called for a rethink in how funds meant for stray dog management are used, suggesting they be channelled directly to credible animal welfare organisations rather than municipalities.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor said the challenge was not the absence of resources, but the reluctance or inability of local bodies to carry out sterilisation and sheltering efforts - even when they receive the necessary funding.

He said such allocations often go unspent or are not used where they are most needed. Instead, he proposed that money be given to NGOs and animal welfare groups with a proven record of running shelters and implementing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, arguing...