Supreme Court on Street Dogs: The Supreme Court’s recent directive to relocate all stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region to shelters within eight weeks has triggered a flurry of mixed reactions online. While some have welcomed the move as a much-needed response to the increasing number of dog bite incidents, others have raised concerns about its feasibility and long-term effectiveness.

The order came during the hearing of a suo motu case addressing the sharp rise in stray dog attacks across the national capital. The court ruled that once the animals are captured, they must not be released back onto the streets — a clear shift in policy that has stirred both public opinion and controversy.

Animal rights organizations, including PETA India, have strongly opposed the move. In a statement, PETA called the mass removal of strays “unscientific” and ineffective. “Communities think of neighbourhood dogs as family. Displacing and imprisoning them has never worked,” the organization posted on X. Citing a 2022–23 population survey, they estimated that Delhi is home to around 10 lakh (1 million) community dogs, with less than half sterilised. [Also Know - Supreme Court Steps In Over Rising Stray Dog Attacks, Calls Situation “Alarming and Disturbing”]

“Forcibly removing these dogs will not only create public unrest but also cause widespread suffering. Dogs are territorial — displacing them leads to conflict, starvation, and ultimately, they return to the same areas. This won’t reduce the population or rabies risk,” PETA added, urging the government to instead focus on mass sterilisation and enforcement against illegal breeding.

The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) echoed these concerns. In a statement, FIAPO’s CEO Bharati Ramachandran advocated for a more sustainable and humane approach. “The solution lies in scaling up sterilisation and vaccination efforts, improving waste management to reduce human-animal conflict, and promoting coexistence through public awareness,” she said, calling the Supreme Court’s decision inconsistent with scientific evidence and animal welfare principles. [Also Know: When Compassion Meets Crisis: The Supreme Court’s Stray Dog Dilemma]

Despite criticism from activists, a significant number of people on social media have supported the court’s directive. Many expressed frustration over the growing stray dog issue and called for stricter action.

“Dear stray dog lovers, if you’re so upset about the order, why not adopt a few yourselves and give them a loving home?” one user posted. Another wrote, “Finally, the Supreme Court is recognising the stray dog menace. It’s shocking we allowed this for so long.” [Also Know: When Compassion Collides: The Supreme Court’s Sobering Question on Stray Dogs and Human Lives]

Some users offered more moderate views, supporting the removal of aggressive dogs while also calling for investments in shelters, vaccination drives, and treatment programs for stray animals.

As debate continues, the spotlight remains on whether Delhi’s infrastructure can handle the relocation of nearly a million dogs — and whether this approach will truly solve the problem or create new ones in its place.