Delhi's Stray Dilemma

Supreme Court's order to permanently relocate stray dogs from Delhi has led to debates over animal welfare, and underscores an urgent need to formulate a humane policy in this regard

- Anoushka Randeva

Every dog has its day, but for Delhi's strays, that day may have just been called off. Recently, the Supreme Court, in response to rising dog bite incidents and rabies fatalities, directed removal, sterilization, vaccination, and permanent relocation of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR to shelters within 6-8 weeks, with no re-release. It is a sharp departure from the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which require sterilized and vaccinated dogs to be returned to the same location.

Public Safety Vs. Animal Rights Under Sections 3 and 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act), read with Article 51A(g) of the Constitution, animals are guaranteed the right to food, shelter, and protection from harm, especially when domesticated. These provisions recognize that dignity and fair treatment are not exclusive to humans; animals too have the right not to be beaten, kicked, over-ridden, or overloaded. In Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja (2014), the Supreme Court went further, extending Article 21's "right to life" to animals, acknowledging their intrinsic value beyond utility to humans.