New Delhi: Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Tuesday assured that he will “look into” the Supreme Court’s recent directive ordering the removal of stray dogs from residential areas in Delhi-NCR, following widespread backlash from animal rights groups and prominent citizens.
The controversial order, passed on Monday by a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, directed civic bodies to round up all stray dogs and shift them to shelters in response to rising cases of dog bites and rabies. The bench stressed that the move was “in public interest” and should be executed swiftly, ruling out any intervention from dog lovers or other parties.
While many Resident Welfare Associations welcomed the decision, animal activists and experts argued it was impractical and financially unfeasible, citing inadequate infrastructure and funds for large-scale relocation. They also pointed to a May 2024 Supreme Court ruling by Justice JK Maheshwari that barred relocation and killing of stray dogs, emphasising that compassion for all living beings is a constitutional value.
The CJI’s remarks came after he was informed about the earlier order during court proceedings. Actor John Abraham submitted an urgent appeal seeking a review, while former Union minister and animal rights advocate Maneka Gandhi criticised the directive as “impractical,” “financially unviable,” and harmful to the region’s ecological balance.
Animal welfare organisations, including PETA India, warned that displacement would neither reduce the dog population nor prevent dog bites. “Communities think of neighbourhood dogs as family… such actions are unscientific and have never worked,” said Dr Mini Aravindan, Senior Director of Veterinary Affairs at PETA India. The matter is now expected to return to the court for reconsideration.
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