‘Unscientific, NEVER worked’: PETA slams SC order for removal of 1 million stray dogs in Delhi NCR

After the Supreme Court of India ordered the removal of stray dogs from all localities in Delhi NCR, animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has slammed the top court’s directive, calling the move “unscientific”, adding that it will cause uproar in communities and chaos and suffering for the dogs. The group said that the move is not only “cruel” but “displacement has NEVER worked.”

Earlier on Monday (Aug 11), the top court passed a directive for authorities in Delhi NCR to immediately start picking up stray dogs from all localities and move them to dog shelters. The court also warned of legal consequences against any individual or organisation that tries to obstruct the authorities from picking up stray dogs. In its order, the court said that the “situation is extremely grim.” It added, “Immediate steps need to be taken to take care of the menace of dog bites leading to rabies.”

Responding to the Supreme Court ruling, PETA India said in a statement on Monday (Aug 11), “Communities think of neighbourhood dogs as family, and the displacement and jailing of dogs is not scientific and has NEVER worked.”

It added, “Per a population survey conducted in 2022-23, Delhi has around 10 lakh community dogs, with less than half sterilised. 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.”

The statement further added that it will ultimately do nothing to curb the dog population, reduce rabies, or prevent dog bite incidents in the city. PETA further explained that it is not feasible to build enough shelters for dogs. It added that displacing dogs can result in territorial fights and lead to problems like starvation.

“Ultimately, dogs make their way back into the same 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.”

PETA also criticised the Delhi government for failing to implement an effective dog sterilisation program, saying that if they had, there would be hardly any dogs on the road today. It added, “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.”

It also recommended other important efforts, including “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.”