‘Inhumane, unscientific': Animal advocates slam Supreme Court directive to relocate stray dogs in Delhi-NCR
'The recent Supreme Court order… is a shocking judgment that runs contrary to global public health guidance, India's own laws, and humane, evidence-based practice,' said Bharati Ramachandran, CEO of Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), a federation of more than 200 animal protection organisations across India.
She called the mass sheltering of healthy, vaccinated dogs 'impractical and inhumane'.
'The proper and responsible response to such tragedies is… declaring a massive sterilisation and vaccination campaign. India has philanthropists who would be glad to invest in this, should money be the issue,' she added.
According to Bharati, the solution lies in scaling up Delhi's sterilisation and vaccination programmes and running public awareness campaigns on co-existence.
According to India's Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, sterilised and vaccinated community dogs are to be returned to their original territories after treatment.
Earlier today, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan asked the authorities to build shelters and report about the creation of infrastructure to the court within eight weeks. The bench also stated that the shelters must have sufficient personnel for sterilisation and immunisation of the stray dogs. It also directed monitoring of the shelters by CCTV cameras to ensure that no dogs are taken out.
'There should not be any compromise in undertaking any exercise. If any individual or organisation comes in the way of picking stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action against any such resistance,' it said.
Reacting to this development, Dr Mini Aravindan, Senior Director of Veterinary Affairs, PETA India, said: 'Had the Delhi government implemented an effective dog sterilisation programme, there would hardly be any dogs on the road today. But it would not be too late to start implementing an effective sterilisation programme now.'
She also said that the displacement of dogs on such a large scale is not scientific and has never shown results.
'As 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. It will also ultimately do nothing to curb the dog population, reduce rabies or prevent dog bite incidents,' she said, stating that it was infeasible to build enough dog shelters to house all stray dogs.
'Displacing dogs also causes fights over territory and problems like starvation,' she said, adding that the government has required that community dogs be sterilised since 2001, a procedure which calms them. These dogs are also vaccinated against rabies in the process.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Australia's Albanese says Netanyahu ‘in denial' over suffering in Gaza
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu was 'in denial' about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, a day after announcing Australia would recognise a Palestinian state for the first time. Australia will recognise a Palestinian state at next month's United Nations General Assembly, Albanese said on Monday, a move that adds to international pressure on Israel after similar announcements from France, Britain and Canada. Albanese said on Tuesday the Netanyahu government's reluctance to listen to its allies contributed to Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state. 'He again reiterated to me what he has said publicly as well, which is to be in denial about the consequences that are occurring for innocent people,' Albanese said in an interview with state broadcaster ABC, recounting a Thursday phone call with Netanyahu discussing the issue. Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state is conditional on commitments received from the Palestinian Authority, including that Islamist militant group Hamas would have no involvement in any future state. Right-leaning opposition leader Sussan Ley said the move, which breaks with long-held bipartisan policy over Israel and the Palestinian territories, risked jeopardising Australia's relationship with the United States. Albanese said as little as two weeks ago he would not be drawn on a timeline for recognition of a Palestinian state. His incumbent centre-left Labor Party, which won an increased majority at a general election in May, has previously been wary of dividing public opinion in Australia, which has significant Jewish and Muslim minorities. But the public mood has shifted sharply after Israel said it planned to take military control of Gaza, amid increasing reports of hunger and malnutrition amongst its people. Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched across Sydney's Harbour Bridge this month calling for aid deliveries in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis worsened. 'This decision is driven by popular sentiment in Australia which has shifted in recent months, with a majority of Australians wanting to see an imminent end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,' said Jessica Genauer, a senior lecturer in international relations at Flinders University. Opposition leader Ley said the decision was 'disrespectful' of key ally the United States, which opposes Palestinian statehood. 'We would never have taken this step because this is completely against what our principles are, which is that recognition, the two state solution, comes at the end of the peace process, not before,' she said in an interview with radio station 2GB. Neighbouring New Zealand has said it is still considering whether to recognise a Palestinian state, a decision that drew sharp criticism from former prime minister Helen Clark on Tuesday. 'This is a catastrophic situation, and here we are in New Zealand somehow arguing some fine point about whether we should recognise we need to be adding our voice to the need for this catastrophe to stop,' she said in an interview with state broadcaster RNZ. 'This is not the New Zealand I've known.'
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Delhi dog menace: Authorities to catch, relocate 6k strays, bar NGOs from releasing them back, seek govt land for shelters; inside MCD's action plan
Following a Supreme Court order, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) plans to apprehend and relocate approximately 6,000 street dogs, particularly aggressive ones, within six weeks. The MCD has directed Animal Birth Control (ABC) shelters to cease releasing dogs back onto the streets. NEW DELHI: After the Supreme Court ordered civic authorities on Monday to immediately catch and relocate street dogs permanently to shelters, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi directed NGOs running Animal Birth Control (ABC) shelters not to release dogs back in the streets. At present, the ABC shelters also have dogs taken from the Red Fort and its surroundings as part of the arrangements for Independence Day celebrations at the monument. Saying that the court order would be implemented and around 6,000 community dogs, especially the aggressive ones, would be apprehended in the next six weeks, an official revealed, "We will ensure that dogs from different localities are kept separately, in addition to keeping male and female dogs separately." You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi While MCD's deliberative wing has asked the veterinary department to submit a report on the capacity of ABC centres to hold dogs permanently and on the space required for creating kennels, the officials are awaiting instructions from the commissioner on the matter. Yogesh Verma, member of the anti-rabies committee, stated that the court ruling has provided clarity on various debatable issues. "This includes holding aggressive dogs in shelters permanently or relocating them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Earlier, rules forced us to release the dogs from the locality they were caught in. This meant that even dogs that had attacked people were released after some in the same area," said Verma. He added that once shelter arrangements are in place, each MCD zone will be given a target of capturing 1,000 dogs per month. On Monday, MCD decided, in association with the RWAs and animal lovers, to identify feeding points for street dogs, revealed Verma. However, with only 20 sterilisation centres operating, no sites identified yet for relocating the dogs and facing financial and manpower constraints, it would be a challenge for the civic body to catch all street canines. The sterilisation centres have space only for 10,000 dogs and even this is meant for keeping dogs for 4-10 days. Keeping dogs permanently at the 20 ABC centres would reduce this capacity to 4,000 dogs. VK Singh, former veterinary director in MCD, stated that till now, the ABC rules did not permit the holding of community dogs at shelters and, therefore, the civic authorities never paid heed to developing such facilities. "Now that the Supreme Court has directed their sheltering and relocation, Delhi govt and all the civic bodies will have to make a detailed plan to meet the requirements," said Singh. "This will need time, funds and manpower to implement. It will be required to create dog shelters in every municipal zone to mitigate chances of dogs attacking each other. Separate wards for sterilised and unsterilised dogs also need to be created." Satya Sharma, chairman, MCD standing committee, said the municipal corporation will approach Delhi govt to assign space at the 77 veterinary hospitals and dispensary sites for sheltering street dogs. "Meanwhile, we are identifying community halls and vacant buildings far from residential neighbourhoods where the caught dogs can be kept," said Sharma, adding that a survey of the ABC centres would be carried out to assess their functioning. According to officials, 2-3 ABC centres are not operating efficiently. MCD has also decided to make a helpline operational within one week for dog bites and rabies, with its teams required to respond within four hours to pick up the dog, sterilise it and hold it without releasing it. Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said that regular consultation with animal activists would be undertaken in implementing the plan. The New Delhi Municipal Council has no dog shelters as of now. It is running a sterilisation drive in partnership with two NGOs. "The court has given us seven weeks to act on its order. We will formulate a plan to establish relocation shelters, in addition to intensive sterilisation and vaccination of community dogs," said an NDMC official. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Unscientific and inhumane': Activists say Supreme Court order goes against govt's 2023 rule; Peta for effective sterilisation programme
NEW DELHI: Animal welfare activists argued on Monday that the SC order was in violation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, issued by the central govt. These rules do not endorse the shifting of dogs from the localities where they are caught. The activists also pointed out that Delhi-NCR does not have a single govt-run dog shelter. They also wondered how dogs could be shifted without a headcount of an area's canine population. "The logical way is to first conduct a dog census, arrive at a coherent definition of 'aggressive dogs', then shift them to shelters," said animal activist Sonya Ghosh. tnn 'Order shows misunderstanding of issue' You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Ghosh felt that the order would put the central govt and the judiciary in conflict if the directive on relocation of dogs was to be implemented. "The ABC Rules do not permit the permanent relocation of strays," Ghosh said. "It seems that there is a lack of awareness on the court's part that, at present, there are no govt shelters for dogs in the region. Eight weeks is a very short time to set up the required shelters. Also, the civic bodies lack the manpower required for action." Alokparna Sengupta, managing director, Humane World for Animals India, said the directive to round up dogs was both scientifically unsound and practically unachievable. "This approach demonstrates a misunderstanding of the issue, law and the science that governs it. Particularly since govt hasn't successfully implemented birth control programmes, which should be the primary focus rather than simply relocating the dogs," said Sengupta. Peta India similarly felt that an efficient sterilisation programme would be a better option. In a statement, it said, "If Delhi govt implemented an effective dog sterilisation programme, there would hardly be any dogs on the road today. It isn't too late to start control programmes. Instead of wasting time, effort and public resources on ineffective and inhumane displacement drives, an effective sterilisation programme is still the solution and urgent need. " Peta said other important measures would include the closure of illegal pet shops and breeders that contribute to animal abandonment. It also batted for encouraging the public to take in a dog in need from an animal shelter or off the street. Advocate Nanita Sharma, who regularly takes up dog-related cases, said the order was unprecedented and against the law laid down by the Supreme Court as well as the high courts. "ABC Rules are the only effective, humane and sustainable approach to managing the dog population in India. However, the authorities haven't performed their statutory duties or seriously conducted sterilisation programmes in spite of lakhs of rupees being granted for this particular purpose. This is not a dog menace, but a human menace of corruption and apathy," Sharma said. Meanwhile, the dog-loving community staged a protest to condemn the court order. The protest started near the court premises before moving to India Gate around 6.30pm. The protest, led by animal activist Manavi Rai, was eventually dispersed by Delhi Police at India Gate. A police officer said 25-30 people were detained while protesting on Janpath. Chinchil Gupta said, "This order should not have been given in a country that believes in peaceful coexistence. Just because these poor creatures can't speak for themselves, they can't be evicted from our localities. As for rabies, the cases will subside with proper vaccination and sterilisation, so the civic authorities should focus on that." A lawyer, who wished not to be identified, added, "I have no issue with changing the ABC Rules as it's incapable of addressing the situation. But ordering the removal of all the community dogs from residential localities to shelters, whether they are vaccinated or not, is an extreme step I didn't expect." Rahul Sharma, another animal supporter, echoed the sentiment. "What's not sitting well with me is why a dog needs to be relocated if it's vaccinated and sterilised. Once vaccinated and sterilised, it's not a rabies threat nor does it breed," he argued. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
