Indian activists protest order to remove Delhi's stray dogs

Various estimates put number of strays in New Delhi between 500,000 to one million

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New Delhi, 13 August 2025 – Several animal rights activists were detained in the Indian capital during a peaceful protest against a recent Supreme Court directive regarding stray dogs.

The court has instructed city authorities to relocate stray dogs to shelters within eight weeks, citing public safety concerns. It also ordered that daily records be maintained of all dogs captured and housed, to ensure transparency and monitoring. Protesters gathered in central Delhi, urging authorities to consider alternative, humane solutions such as sterilisation and vaccination drives, and emphasised the need for long-term animal welfare strategies.

While police detained several demonstrators for violating public assembly regulations, the protest remained largely peaceful. Officials have clarified that the move is aimed at balancing public safety with animal welfare, and efforts will be made to ensure the shelters meet required standards.

The issue continues to draw attention from civic groups, residents, and animal welfare organizations across the country.

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