Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday issued a clarification on the government’s policy regarding stray dogs following widespread public outrage over his earlier announcement to “eliminate stray and killer dogs”.In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the Punjab Government would strictly follow, in letter and spirit, the Supreme Court order dated May 19 on the issue of community dogs.Mann said, “As per the SC orders, we will remove stray dogs from all high-footfall public spaces so that children, senior citizens and families can move freely without fearing for their safety. We will create and maintain an adequate number of dog shelters where these stray dogs can be cared for properly. Take legally permissible measures, including euthanasia, in cases involving rabid, incurably ill or demonstrably dangerous and aggressive dogs posing a threat to human life, strictly in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the ABC Rules.”The CM’s original statement on Thursday had evoked sharp criticism from animal lovers across the country, who accused him of misreading the apex court’s directions on community dogs.Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria also waded into the controversy, stressing that the exercise must be carried out strictly under the Supreme Court guidelines. “It is going to be a long exercise… It doesn’t mean you can kill anyone. Dogs are also living beings,” the Governor said.Rajys Sabha MP Swati Maliwal also questioned the Chief Minister’s remarks. “CM Mann has very gleefully ordered mass killing of street dogs in Punjab, misquoting the Supreme Court. The order nowhere allows this mass elimination of dogs. His statements are illegal, inhumane and shameful,” she said. The controversy erupted after Mann’s Thursday announcement, which many interpreted as a blanket drive against stray dogs.