New Delhi: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has strongly opposed the Supreme Court’s recent directive to relocate stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region to shelters. Shaurya Agrawal, Advocacy Associate at PETA India, described the order as “impractical, illogical, and illegal” under current Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
Agrawal said, “This particular order is impractical and illogical. According to the Animal Birth Control rules, it is also illegal. The Delhi government had 24 years to implement sterilisation programmes properly. Out of nearly 10 lakh stray dogs, only half have been sterilised. Moving them to shelters is neither feasible nor humane.”
He warned that the implementation of such an order would lead to chaos and poor conditions for the animals. “Removing dogs is inhumane and cruel. Shelter conditions are going to be very bad. We are exploring all legal avenues to challenge this decision,” he added.
The Supreme Court, in its order delivered on Monday, stated that all localities should be cleared of stray dogs, and no captured dogs should be released back into the streets. The bench, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, also warned that any individual or organisation obstructing the capture drive could face contempt proceedings.
In response to the order, animal rights activists, rescuers, and caregivers held a protest at India Gate late last night. Police detained several demonstrators, including caregivers who expressed frustration at being penalised for helping animals. “They are detaining us just because we feed animals,” said one protester.
Delhi Mayor Iqbal Singh, however, welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling, citing the growing public concern over stray dog attacks. “We will do our best to implement the order within six weeks,” he said.
