PETA Slams Supreme Court Order on Removal of Delhi’s Stray Dogs as ‘Unscientific’; Protesters Detained Amid Growing Concerns
The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi civic authorities to round up stray dogs, sterilise them, and relocate them permanently to shelters, citing rising dog bite cases in the national capital. The apex court also ordered strict enforcement of the directive to ensure public safety across New Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Calling the stray dog menace “extremely grim”, the bench ordered immediate relocation of all strays from public spaces to shelters, warning of stern action against anyone obstructing the drive.
Protests at India Gate
The order triggered protests by animal rights activists, caregivers, and dog lovers at India Gate in New Delhi. Police detained the demonstrators.
Former Union minister Vijay Goel welcomed the ruling, pointing to nearly 2,000 reported dog bite cases in Delhi this year. However, animal rights advocate and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi criticised the practicality of the plan, saying Delhi lacked the resources to build the 3,000 required pounds with proper infrastructure.
Celebrities such as actor-comedian Vir Das and filmmaker Simi Garewal urged citizens to adopt stray dogs and support animal welfare NGOs, warning that sheltering could lead to neglect or harm.
PETA and FIAPO Voice Opposition
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India condemned the move as “unscientific” and “ineffective”. PETA’s Senior Director of Veterinary Affairs, Dr Mini Aravindan, warned that removing an estimated 10 lakh community dogs from the streets would cause “chaos and suffering” without addressing the root issues of overpopulation, rabies control, or bite prevention.
PETA and the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) called for mass sterilisation and vaccination programmes instead of what they termed “inhumane displacement drives”. They also stressed improved waste management and public awareness campaigns for coexistence.
PETA’s Advocacy Associate Shaurya Agrawal called the order “impractical and illegal” under animal birth control rules, highlighting poor conditions in most shelters.
Mixed Public Reaction
Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and several citizens supported the decision, saying it would address the rising menace of dog bites and attacks, while activists labelled it “regressive” and “unrealistic” given Delhi’s limited shelter capacity.
Supreme Court’s Directions
Hearing a suo motu case on stray dog attacks on children, a bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan ordered immediate creation of shelters for at least 5,000 stray dogs, starting with high-risk zones, within six weeks.
Authorities in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram must maintain a daily log of captured dogs, with strict prohibition on releasing them back onto the streets. Any violation, the court warned, would invite severe consequences.
