A day of chaos unfolded in Delhi’s Rohini Sector 27 after dog lovers and animal rights activists claimed they had discovered carcasses of stray dogs, including skeletal remains of faces and bodies, dumped in an empty ground. This sparked a massive overnight protest outside a municipal dog sterilisation centre, where protesters alleged that strays were being killed inside the facility instead of being sterilised, reported Times Now.
Protesters Demand Action
Crowds of protesters gathered outside the centre, chanting slogans and demanding the release of the dogs. The tension grew as many alleged that the facility was violating animal welfare guidelines. Responding to the growing outcry, Delhi Police intervened and eventually permitted two volunteers and lawyers to enter the premises around midnight to verify the situation.
By early morning, protesters claimed that as many as 103 dogs were released from the centre following the standoff. However, concerns continue to simmer as activists say stricter monitoring of such centres is urgently required.
Dog Skeletons Fuel Outrage
Dog lovers and animal rights activists have also alleged findings in Delhi’s Rohini Sector 27, claiming they discovered skeletons of stray dogs dumped in an empty ground near the municipal sterilisation centre. In videos shared from the spot, activists can be heard pointing to a skull, graves and sacks filled with salt, accusing authorities of hiding evidence. According to the protesters, these disturbing discoveries prove that stray dogs are being killed instead of sterilised, fuelling widespread outrage.
What the Supreme Court Has Said on Stray Dogs
The Supreme Court on Friday revised its earlier ruling on the relocation of stray dogs and directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to release the animals back into the same locality after sterilisation and vaccination, except in cases where the dogs are rabid or aggressive.
A three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath ruled that stray dogs should be sterilised, immunised, and then released into their original areas. However, rabid or dangerously aggressive dogs will be kept separately.
The court prohibited feeding of stray dogs in public spaces, instructing the MCD to create designated feeding zones in every municipal ward for their care. Animal lovers may now adopt strays through the MCD. The bench also issued notices to the Animal Husbandry Secretaries of all States and UTs to submit inputs for framing a comprehensive national policy on stray dogs.
The order, which initially covered Delhi-NCR, has now been extended to apply nationwide. All stray dog-related cases pending in various high courts will also be transferred to the Supreme Court for a uniform ruling.
The decision comes after widespread outrage against the earlier August 11 order by a two-judge bench led by Justice J B Pardiwala, which directed municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad to move strays into shelters. Following protests from animal activists and public backlash, the matter was handed over to the three-judge bench.