Public debate over street dog management in Hyderabad sharpened after film actor and social activist Renu Desai addressed a press meet on Tuesday, questioning the Supreme Court’s logic behind sweeping actions against strays following recent dog-bite incidents.
Renu Desai played heroin roles in Telugu movies and was married to Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan. They were together for about a decade. She enjoys a great name recognition in the two Telugu states.
During her fiery media interaction, she argued that the discourse had become narrowly focused, with public anger directed almost entirely at street dogs while other serious safety concerns often fail to trigger comparable reactions. She said only a small proportion of strays exhibit aggressive behaviour and warned against treating the entire population as a threat.
During the interaction, Desai criticised the judiciary debate, questioning recent court directions related to stray dog management. While acknowledging that judicial interventions are intended to ensure public safety, she argued that some orders appear driven by immediate public pressure rather than long-term ground realities. She said directions issued without sufficient consultation with animal welfare experts or municipal practitioners risk encouraging reactionary measures by civic bodies.
She maintained that sterilised and vaccinated dogs were also being targeted due to the court orders, undermining animal birth control programmes introduced by civic authorities. Desai suggested that courts should first examine whether animal birth control rules are being implemented effectively by the civic bodies before permitting extreme steps. Her comments came amid reports and social media claims of the removal and poisoning of strays in several parts of the city, triggering concern among animal welfare groups.
After the press meet was highlighted for how emotionally charged the issue has become, Desai later clarified that her intervention was aimed at urging balance rather than confrontation. As Hyderabad grapples with safety concerns, compassion and administrative accountability, the debate raises broader questions about whether crisis-driven responses can substitute for consistent urban planning and long-term governance.