In India, protests are taking place against the Supreme Court's decision on stray dogs

• Protesters are speaking out against the ruling regarding the culling of stray dogs.
• The Supreme Court demands the capture of 5,000 dogs within 6-8 weeks.
• Activists are calling for the implementation of sterilization and vaccination rules.

On the morning of September 12, 2025, police in Delhi arrested dozens of protesters who were speaking out against the decision of the Supreme Court of India regarding the culling of stray dogs. This ruling, issued on September 11, requires the authorities to capture 5,000 dogs from "high-risk areas" and transport them to shelters for a period of six to eight weeks.

Demonstrators assert that the court's ruling will not solve the problem, as it will only increase the number of dogs in shelters, which often do not have adequate conditions. They are calling for the implementation of control measures based on the birth rate of animals, which anticipate sterilization and vaccination of dogs before their return to the community.

The court's order was based on the increasing number of dog bite incidents, with nearly 2,000 such incidents being reported daily in Delhi. According to data from 2012, the city is home to about 60,000 stray dogs, although some activists believe that their number could reach one million.

The court also highlighted the necessity of creating a hotline for reporting dog bite incidents and controlling the shelters, which usually lack sufficient staff for the sterilization and vaccination of dogs.

Protesters, including animal rights activists, stated that the government lacks the necessary preparation to implement this order. They believe that the order is aimed not at improving the situation but at satisfying public fear of stray animals.

Tags: Politics