Mumbai: At Joggers Park, Bandra, 250 people protested a Supreme Court ruling on street dogs in Delhi-NCR. Organizations highlighted worries over potential relocations due to inadequate shelters, while caregivers stressed their commitment to vaccination and public education on dog behavior.
Approximately 250 individuals protested at Joggers Park, Carter Road, Bandra, against a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding street dogs in Delhi-NCR. The event, coordinated by organizations like Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP), Pawasana, and Youth Organization in Defence of Animals (YODA), raised alarms about the potential capture and relocation of street dogs to unconstructed shelters. Participants voiced their worries about the absence of current government shelters and infrastructure, raising doubts about the feasibility of large-scale relocations.
Long-time dog feeders and caregivers shared their experiences, highlighting their commitment to vaccinating and treating street dogs out of pocket and often without external support. They underscored the importance of educating the public on dog behavior and the transmission of rabies, asserting that they had never been bitten despite years of caring for these animals.
A caregiver remarked on the deteriorating shelter conditions and criticised civil bodies for failing to adequately support the dogs. The ongoing unrest was made clear, as participants vowed to continue protesting until the Supreme Court's decision is reversed according to a report by Times Now.
Concerns about funding were also discussed, with attendees questioning the use of allocated animal welfare funds while noting the lack of government-run shelters in Delhi. They expressed that if the authorities provided suitable facilities, caregivers would be ready to manage the animals properly. Some participants emphasized the importance of community education on dog behavior, clarifying that not all bites result in rabies and urging for a better understanding of human-animal coexistence.
More Protests In Mumbai
In response to the Supreme Court order, several animal rights groups plan subsequent protests in Mumbai on August 14, 15, and 17. The August 14 demonstration will begin at 11 am at Carter Road, followed by a noon rally at Azad Maidan the next day, and a candlelight vigil on August 17 at 5 pm in Andheri (West). Activists criticized the ruling as cruel, advocating for sterilization and vaccination as a humane approach to manage stray dog populations.
Prominent voices like Vijay Rangare of People for Animals (PFA-Mumbai) condemned the decision to confine healthy dogs, urging for a system that prioritizes the wellbeing of both animals and humans. Roshan Pathak from Pure Animal Lovers (PAL Foundation) emphasized the importance of accountable dog sterilization programs, contrasting the situation in Mumbai, where regular sterilizations help control stray populations. Actor Sumeet Raghavan and Actoress, Politician Nikita Ghag were also present in the protest.
The participating organizations collectively vowed to continue their protests, advocating for enduring solutions that involve sterilization, vaccination, and heightened community awareness.
