They are Delhites too, Not ‘Strays’!
Actor and dog dad John Abraham sent an urgent appeal to Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice B. R Gavai, urging a review of the recent Supreme Court direction for the removal of Delhi’s community dogs to shelters and faraway places.
In it, he said, Delhi’s dogs are not ‘strays’ – they are community dogs—respected and loved by many, and very much Delhiites in their own right, having lived in the region as neighbours to humans for generations.
He also points out the directive apparently conflicts with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, formerly the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 and the Supreme Court’s own judgements on the issue which have consistently upheld a methodical sterilisation programme, as recommended by World Health Organisation in 1990, as the only effective and scientific solution to address the community dog population. The ABC Rules prohibit the displacement of dogs, instead mandating their sterilisation, vaccination, and return to the very areas they inhabit.
Where the ABC programme is implemented earnestly, it works. Jaipur has sterilised more than 70% of its dogs; Lucknow, 84%. Delhi can achieve the same. During sterilisation, dogs are vaccinated against rabies, and sterilisation results in calmer animals, fewer fights and bites, as they have no puppies to protect. Because community dogs are territorial, they also deter unsterilised, unvaccinated dogs from entering their areas.
Displacement of Dogs NEVER Works
Delhi has an estimated 10 lakh dogs. It is neither practical nor humane to shelter or relocate them all, and removal only opens the door for unfamiliar, unsterilised, and unvaccinated dogs to move in—leading to greater competition, territorial disputes, and public health risks. Relocation is also ineffective because other dogs quickly repopulate areas which are emptied.
See what former Union Cabinet Minister Maneka Gandhi has to say:
Solution? Sterilisation and Vaccination, Not Displacement
Sterilisation, not displacement, is the proven solution that safeguards public health while honouring the constitutional values of compassion and coexistence. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld this position since 2015.
What You Can Do to Help
Request the honourable Chief Justice of India for a review of the recent Supreme Court direction and for support of humane, lawful measures focused on implementing the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, closing illegal pet shops and breeders, and encouraging adoption over dog buying.