New Delhi: Tensions flared in the heart of the national capital on Monday evening as Delhi Police detained several animal rights activists, rescuers, and dog lovers protesting at India Gate. Their demonstration came in response to the Supreme Court’s order mandating the relocation of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks.
The apex court issued the directive citing the alarming rise in stray dog attacks in Delhi and surrounding regions. A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan instructed that once captured, no stray dog should be released back onto the streets. Authorities were also ordered to create a helpline for dog bite complaints, ensuring the offending animal is captured within four hours of a report.
Protesters Raise Concerns Over Shelter Capacity
Protesters at India Gate claimed the order was not only impractical but also inhumane, given the lack of shelter facilities to house thousands of dogs.
“We are not being allowed to protest. We want the dogs to be protected. There are no shelters to accommodate so many dogs. In the end, they will throw all the dogs outside Delhi, where they will die,” said one caregiver while being detained by police.
The Supreme Court, however, maintained that public safety was paramount. The order stressed that all stray dogs, sterilised or not, must be removed from every locality, including Delhi’s outskirts, to make residents “feel free and safe.” The court also warned that anyone obstructing the drive could face contempt proceedings.
PETA India’s Strong Criticism
Animal rights organisation PETA India condemned the directive, calling it “impractical, illogical, and illegal.”
Dr. Mini Aravindan, Senior Director of Veterinary Affairs at PETA India, argued that displacement and confinement have historically failed to control the dog population, reduce rabies, or prevent bites.
“Such actions will not work because dogs eventually return to their territories. Forcibly removing them will cause chaos and suffering for both animals and residents,” she said.
PETA urged authorities to focus on sterilisation, vaccination, and adoption programs rather than implementing mass removal, warning that the Supreme Court’s order could create an even bigger problem in the long run.
The Road Ahead
The Supreme Court’s decision has reignited the long-standing debate between animal rights and public safety. While the court prioritises human security, activists insist that humane and scientifically backed methods—like sterilisation and vaccination—are the only sustainable solutions to stray dog management.
With an eight-week deadline ticking, Delhi-NCR authorities now face a massive logistical and ethical challenge in balancing the Supreme Court’s mandate with growing public and activist resistance