New Delhi, Aug. 12 -- Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP from Kerala Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday came down heavily on the Supreme Court's order to remove all stray dogs from Delhi NCR as a step back from decades of science, humane backed policy and said blanket removals are cruel, shortsighted and public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "The Supreme Court's directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR is a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy."

He said: "These voiceless souls are not 'problems' to be erased. "Shelters, sterilisation, vaccination and community care can keep streets safe - without cruelty."

"Blanket removals ...