Mumbai: Animal rights activists gathered at Azad Maidan on Friday to protest against a Supreme Court directive ordering the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi–NCR streets and their relocation to shelters within eight weeks.
Protesters called the order impractical and inhumane, arguing that it could lead to unnecessary suffering for the animals. They demanded alternative solutions such as large-scale sterilisation, vaccination drives, and public awareness campaigns. “Animals deserve the right to freedom, just as humans do,” many held in placards and slogans.
In a video posted on X, one protester can be heard expressing outrage, saying that while rapists and criminals are allowed to roam free, voiceless dogs are being targeted under the Supreme Court’s order. The protester condemned the move as unfair and inhumane, highlighting the stark contrast in how justice is applied to humans versus animals.
Following the court’s directive, the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) has already picked up 100 stray dogs and converted 20 animal birth control (ABC) centres into temporary shelters. Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said the civic body has earmarked an 85-acre plot in outer Delhi to house stray animals and is searching for additional land to build more shelters.
The mayor explained that implementation would be carried out in phases, starting with aggressive, rabies-infected, or sick dogs, before expanding shelter capacity. Plans include enlarging the ABC centre in Dwarka and, in a later phase, establishing larger facilities at Ghogha Dairy. Singh said the move would bring “big relief” to residents troubled by stray dog bites.
Court’s Concern
The Supreme Court bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan had stressed that rabies cases, particularly involving children, posed a serious public health risk. The judges ordered authorities to ensure all dogs are moved to proper shelters within the given timeframe.
The DMC has assured that captured dogs will be provided with adequate facilities in the converted ABC centres to minimise distress during the process.
