Activists slam JLN Stadium staff for not allowing return of sterilised stray dogs

Officials at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium on Thursday allegedly barred the reentry of stray dogs that had been living inside the complex after they were taken away for sterilisation two days ago — a move animal rights activists said violated court directions against the relocation of stray animals.

- Gargi Shukla

The dogs were taken to an ABC centre by MCD officials for vaccination and sterilisation and were due to be returned to their original location, in keeping with court-mandated protocol, activists said.

(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

The row erupted days after dog-bite incidents were reported at the stadium during the World Para Athletics Championships.

According to activists, around 7am on Thursday, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) vehicles arrived at Gate No 10 of the stadium to drop the dogs back after their sterilisation and vaccination, but the guards refused to allow them in. “Guards told me they could not let the dogs in until they received orders from higher authorities,” said Nonglemba of Animal India Trust, who drove the animals from Lajpat Nagar.