Soon after Supreme Court’s ruling on mandatorily shifting entire stray dog population of Delhi-NCR to dog shelters within 8 weeks, PETA India on Monday released a statement saying “Displacement and jailing of dogs is not scientific and has NEVER worked.” The organisation suggested effective sterilisation, closure of illegal pet shops and breeders “that contribute to animal abandonment” as alternate options.

Amid rising cases of dog bites in Delhi, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR should be sent to dedicated dog shelters within eight weeks, which will be set up by the concerned authorities. It stated that the stray dogs should be picked up from all localities from more particularly vulnerable localities and cities at the earliest.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) issued a statement on Monday afternoon “regarding the Supreme Court order for the removal, displacement and jailing of Delhi’s stray dogs”.

The statement mentions, “Communities think of neighbourhood dogs as family, and the displacement and jailing of dogs is not scientific and has NEVER worked. Per a population survey conducted in 2022–23, Delhi has around 10 lakh community dogs, with less than half sterilised.”

Why forced removal of stray dogs can be a problem?

Explaining why and how forced displacement of stray dogs can be a problem, the animal welfare organisation explained, “Forced removal of some 10 lakh community dogs from Delhi’s streets will cause uproar in communities that care deeply for them and chaos and suffering for the dogs on a large scale. 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. Ultimately, dogs make their way back into the same territories, especially when puppies continue to be born.”

Not be too late to start implementing effective sterilisation: PETA India

Suggesting sterilisation as an alternate option rather than displacement, PETA India mentioned in its statement, “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. 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.”

“Instead of wasting time, effort, and public resources on ineffective and inhumane displacement drives, an effective sterilisation program is still the solution and urgent need. Other important efforts would include a closure of illegal pet shops and breeders that contribute to animal abandonment, and encouraging the public to take in a dog in need from an animal shelter or the street.”

Any organisation trying to obstruct this exercise “will face the strictest action”: Supreme Court

The apex court has instructed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), other municipal bodies in Delhi-NCR and other agencies to work in coordination to create adequate shelter facilities within the given deadline and to ensure that the canines are removed from the streets.

A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan is hearing the matter after taking suo moto cognizance of a news report on the rising incidents of rabies deaths following stray dog attacks. The court said it will hear arguments from the Centre, and no petitions from dog lovers or any other party will be heard on this subject.

Stray dogs must be shifted away from residential localities and any organisation that tries to obstruct this exercise “will face the strictest action” including contempt of court, the Supreme Court said on Monday.

The top court’s significant order comes amid a rise in cases of dog bites and deaths due to rabies. Recently, dog bite cases in Delhi-NCR have repeatedly made headlines which led to injury and even death of several children and senior citizens.

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