India, Oct. 25 -- The Supreme Court's second ruling on street dogs has stepped back from the earlier sweep of "remove them all," narrowing its focus to genuinely dangerous individuals - 'aggressive' and rabid dogs. This provides an opportunity to distinguish risk from rhetoric and to build systems that prevent both cruelty and panic.

Too often, however, the Animal Birth Control Rules (ABC), 2023, are treated as a city-only remedy. They are equally a rural public-health and conservation tool. Non-urban spaces also need protection from rabies and hold far more wildlife than cities.

Wildlife in non-urban spaces

For conservationists, love for dogs and wildlife can feel at odds. The science is clear: free-ranging dogs threaten wild species ...