Latest news with #2023AnimalBirthControl
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Supreme Court's stray dog order: Amicus report flagged ‘fundamental right' to move freely without fear of dog bite or assault
Underlining the fundamental right of a human being to move freely without the fear of a dog bite or assault, the Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae had recommended relocating stray dogs to shelters and not releasing them back on the streets. In his recommendations to the court before Monday's order, Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal, the amicus in the case, said: 'Putting the dog back on the street, where there is grave harm to us, is a direct violation of our fundamental rights to move freely without the fear of a dog bite/ assault.' On Monday, the court directed the authorities in Delhi-NCR to relocate all stray dogs to dedicated dog shelters, underlining that they should not be released back on the streets. 'The 2023 Rules somehow seems to suggest that the fundamental rights of stray dogs to roam around in the street(s), attack human beings and create public nuisance is at a higher pedestal than the fundamental rights of human beings,' the amicus report said. The 2023 Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules deal with the management of stray dog and cat population. The Rules reclassified them as 'community animals', included provisions for community animal feeding and specified that stray dogs cannot be displaced from their regular place of habitation. While the ABC Rules mandate that stray dogs be brought back to their habitat after sterilisation, the amicus report said there is 'absolutely no material to suggest that the sterilisation would eliminate the chance of the dog biting.' 'In almost all developed countries, there are no stray dogs on the streets,' the report said. 'There cannot be any quarrel with the proposition that our streets/ public places should be free from stray dogs,' it added. Citing rising dog bite data, the report said: 'The presence of stray dogs on our streets/ public places like airports, railway stations is a direct infringement of our fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(d) & 21 (right to move freely and the right to life respectively) of the Constitution of India.' Citing government data, it said that in 2024, there were 37,15,713 reported dog bites across the country and 25,201 dog bites in Delhi. According to the report, Delhi had 3,196 cases of dog bites in January alone. 'If figures of January 2025 are any indication, the cases of dog bites have increased by 50%,' the report said. The report suggested that the Court could issue directives to municipal authorities in Delhi to 'begin by creating dog shelter(s) for say 5,000 dogs in the next 6-8 weeks.' It also recommended that stray dogs captured would be detained in shelters and 'would not be released on the streets/ public spaces under any circumstance.' The amicus also recommended that stray dogs captured may be put up for adoption to individuals through animal welfare organisations.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Supreme Court's stray dog removal order slammed by animal rights group; celebs call it ‘death warrant'
The Supreme Court's recent order demanding the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets to shelters has stirred intense debate. Popular actors Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan shared a heartfelt note on social media highlighting the issue. They emphasised how stray dogs are more than just animals on the street; they are part of the community, providing comfort, security, and companionship. The order, they argue, is not a solution but a harsh punishment that strips these animals of their freedom and exposes them to suffering. Activists see the Supreme Court's order as a violation of the 2023 Animal Birth Control rules Animal rights activists and experts are strongly opposing the Supreme Court's directive. They argue that the order goes against the 2023 Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which have long guided humane management of stray dog populations. These rules require sterilisation, vaccination, and the release of healthy dogs back to their original locations, not permanent removal or caging. Activists warn that forcibly relocating dogs risks their health and welfare and could even worsen public health outcomes, including rabies control. Public figures speak out: 'No Compassion Left' for stray dogs Several public figures have voiced their disappointment and anger on social media. Singer Chinmayi described the order as a 'death sentence' and criticised the treatment of dogs abandoned after breeding. Filmmaker Siddharth Anand called the move a 'death warrant' and urged citizens to start petitions to stop what he called a genocide of stray dogs. I am reading this as a death sentence for all dump Huskies and Labs and German Shepherds once they are done breeding them to death, in India. Shelters indeed. Since Dogs are the Vehicle of Lord Kala Bhairava - May He do the needful 🙏 Comedian Vir Das shared photos of his adopted street dogs, encouraging people to adopt and support animal welfare organisations during this critical time. Supreme Court's hardline stance and its impact on Stray Dogs The bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan has ordered civic bodies in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, and Ghaziabad to clear streets of stray dogs within eight weeks. The court explicitly ruled that captured dogs should not be released back into the streets. This marks a sharp departure from previous policies balancing public safety and animal welfare. The order also threatens strict legal action against those who obstruct the capture and sheltering process, raising fears among animal lovers and activists about the welfare of these dogs. Why previous Court orders and ABC rules have fallen short The issue of stray dogs in India has long been contentious. Earlier court rulings emphasised sterilisation and vaccination rather than removal or culling. However, poor implementation and limited resources have hindered progress. The ABC Rules of 2013 were designed to humanely control stray dog populations while safeguarding public health. Regarding the order of the Supreme Court about stray dogs in DelhiI have written to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India this morning with an appeal: (a) For a stay on the directions passed by the SC yesterday regarding stray dogs in Delhi and (b) For the review of the… Yet, failures by local authorities to adequately sterilise and vaccinate dogs have contributed to ongoing concerns about bites and rabies. The Supreme Court's current order ignores this history and the established legal framework, sparking intense backlash. Calls for humane, science-based solutions instead of forced removal Experts and activists call for a return to science-backed methods that protect both people and animals. They suggest large-scale sterilisation, vaccination drives, regulated feeding zones, and public awareness campaigns. These steps have successfully reduced rabies cases in many cities globally without causing harm to animal populations. Forced removal and sheltering, on the other hand, risk trauma, starvation, and disease spread among dogs. The focus, they say, should be on compassion, coexistence, and responsible management rather than quick fixes. How you can help: Adoption and support for animal welfare In light of this crisis, celebrities like Vir Das urge citizens to adopt street dogs and support NGOs working tirelessly to protect animals. Every adoption or donation helps create a safer environment for both dogs and humans. With petitions and protests growing, the hope remains that policymakers and courts will listen to experts and work towards balanced, humane solutions. Public participation and empathy can make a difference in shaping the future of stray dog welfare in India
