The Supreme Court's recent order mandating the removal of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks has sparked widespread protests and strong reactions from animal rights organizations. The directive, aimed at addressing the rising incidents of dog bites and the threat of rabies, has been met with resistance from activists who argue that the move is "illogical," "unscientific," and "cruel".

Following the Supreme Court's order, protests erupted in the capital, with numerous animal rights activists detained by the Delhi Police at India Gate. The activists were demonstrating against the decision to relocate all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters. The court's directive requires the Delhi government and civic bodies to capture stray dogs and house them in shelters equipped for sterilization and immunization.

PETA India has strongly criticized the Supreme Court's order, claiming that the removal of stray dogs from their communities is unscientific and has a low chance of success. The organization argues that "displacement and jailing of dogs is not scientific and has NEVER worked". Citing a 2022-23 population survey, PETA estimates that Delhi has around 10 lakh community dogs, with less than half sterilized. They believe that the forced removal of these dogs will cause "uproar in communities that care deeply for them and chaos and suffering for the dogs on a large scale". PETA also contends that this approach will not effectively curb the dog population, reduce rabies, or prevent dog bite incidents.

PETA suggests that mass sterilization programs and action against illegal breeders are more effective and humane solutions. They argue that building enough dog shelters is unfeasible, and displacing dogs leads to territorial fights, starvation, and the eventual return of dogs to their original territories, especially when puppies continue to be born. Other animal welfare organizations, such as the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), have also called for massive sterilization and vaccination campaigns, opposing the Supreme Court's decision. FIAPO emphasizes that the solution lies in scaling up Delhi's sterilization and vaccination programs, implementing robust waste management to reduce conflict, and running public awareness campaigns on co-existence.

The Supreme Court, however, has taken a firm stance, directing civic bodies across Delhi-NCR to immediately capture all stray dogs and relocate them to shelters. The court cited serious concerns over public safety and the rising threat of rabies, describing the situation as "grim" and stressing the need for urgent measures to protect children, women, and the elderly. The order applies to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and civic agencies in Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad. These authorities have been instructed to begin removing stray dogs from their jurisdictions and transfer them to designated shelters, constructing new shelters where they do not already exist. The court has set a deadline of eight weeks for submitting an infrastructure report.

The Supreme Court has also warned that any organization or individual obstructing the removal of stray dogs will face strict legal consequences. The court has called for the creation of a helpline to report dog bites and rabies within a week, mandating action within four hours of a complaint. Furthermore, the court has questioned the logic of rules that require stray animals to be returned to the same locality after immunization. The court has stated that "infants and young children, at any cost, should not fall prey to rabies" and that "no sentiments should be involved" in the effort to ensure public safety.

While animal rights groups advocate for sterilization and vaccination programs, many social media users have supported the Supreme Court's decision. Some argue that the order is a necessary step to address the stray dog menace, while others have suggested that concerned dog lovers should take stray dogs into their homes. The debate highlights the complex challenges of managing stray animal populations in urban environments, balancing animal welfare with public safety concerns.