After the Supreme Court ordered that stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be picked up within eight weeks and housed in dedicated shelters, PETA responded by saying that “jailing of dogs is not scientific” and that “displacement has never worked” as a solution.

The organisation also highlighted the Delhi government’s failure to sterilise community dogs, stating that if the sterilisation programme had been implemented properly, there would “hardly be any dogs on the roads today”.

In a statement, PETA India said, “Communities think of neighbourhood dogs as family, and the displacement and jailing of dogs is not scientific and has never worked.”

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Citing data from a population survey conducted in 2022–23, PETA said Delhi has about 10 lakh community dogs, with less than half of them sterilised.

“Had the Delhi government implemented an effective dog sterilisation program, there would hardly be any dogs on the road today, but it would not be too late to start implementing an effective sterilisation program now,” the animal rights organisation added. 

It further believes that forcibly removing dogs would “cause uproar” among communities that feed and care for them, while also causing unnecessary “suffering to the dogs”. 

The organisation added, “It will also ultimately do nothing to curb the dog population, reduce rabies or prevent dog bite incidents. This is because it is unfeasible to build enough dog shelters, and displacing dogs causes fights over territory and problems like starvation.”

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It also noted that displaced dogs return to their original territories, especially when puppies continue to be born. “That’s why the government has required that community dogs be sterilised since 2001, a procedure which calms them, and during which time they are also vaccinated against rabies.”

Instead of relocation, PETA suggested ramping up sterilisation drives and shutting down illegal pet shops and breeders, which contribute to animal abandonment and, in turn, lead to more strays.

‘Someone should file review petition’: Suhel Seth

“Marketing Maven” Suhel Seth also disagrees with the Supreme Court order, saying that a country that “can’t care for its animals” cannot be called “compassionate”. He urged that someone should file a “review petition” that too, “soonest”. 

“A country that can’t care for its animals, especially dogs, is not a country that is compassionate,” Seth wrote on X. 

He added, “The Supreme Court is so so wrong on this one. Said both as a dog lover and a proud Indian. Someone needs to file a review petition! Soonest…”

SC order should be implemented pan-India: Chidambaram

Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram said that the Supreme Court order should be implemented pan-India so that children and elderly people can move freely on the streets. 

He noted that, “The Supreme Court’s directions on stray dogs must be implemented in every city and town. It is not difficult to round up stray dogs and put them in proper dog shelters.”

Presenting his solutions for the matter, the MP suggested that authorities can acquire land on the outskirts of a town, level and fence it and relocate the dogs with ease. He added that there should be provisions for food and water and “cost-effective” ways to do it. 

“Streets must be free and safe for all people, especially children and elderly people,” he added.

Supreme Court order on stray dogs

The directive comes after the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the rise in dog bite-related deaths. The Delhi Government has been directed to build shelters and pick up stray dogs for relocation from various localities. The apex court has also directed the authorities to set up a separate helpline within a week for the residents in distress.

Describing the situation as “extremely grim”, the SC issued several directives for the civic bodies to tackle the problem of dog bites in urban areas. The court also warned that strict action, including contempt of court, would be taken against those who come in the way of authorities picking up the stray dogs.

A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan directed that the dog shelters be created to accommodate around 5,000 stray dogs, and sufficient personnel should be deployed there to sterilise and immunise the canines. Additionally, the stray dogs, once moved to the shelters, are not to be released in urban residential and public places.

‘Will animal activists be able to bring back rabies victims?’

The Court directed the creation of shelters within eight weeks with sufficient staff and proper CCTV surveillance. However, several animal rights activists were also criticised for obstructing the removal. The court then questioned, “All these animal activists, will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies?”

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They affirmed that the order was in the favour of public interest and stated that “no sentiments of any nature should be involved”. An oral remark was added conveying urgency, “Pick up dogs from all localities and shift them to far-off places.”

Plan of action

Overall, the order stated that the Delhi government, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), and other authorities of Noida and Gurugram, must create dog shelters within the stipulated time. Furthermore, daily records of dogs who are captured must be maintained, and an action plan for Rabies vaccination must also be rolled out.

This comes after several fatalities were reported after violent dog bite accidents were reported across urban areas. A suo motu case was initiated, which has been appreciated by several residents concerned about the rampant dog bite cases.