John Abraham Advocates for Chief Justice of India to Reconsider Supreme Court's Decision, Argues That "These Animals Are Not Strays, They Are Part of the Community"
In a recent letter to the Chief Justice of India, Bollywood actor John Abraham has expressed concerns over the Supreme Court's order to make all localities in Delhi-NCR free of stray dogs. Abraham, who is the first honorary director of PETA India, argues that the mass relocation of community dogs is neither practical nor humane.
The actor points out that Delhi is home to an estimated 10 lakh community dogs, making them a significant part of the city's population. These dogs, he says, are respected and loved by many in the city. Abraham's letter highlights that the Supreme Court's order to relocate and shelter these dogs conflicts with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which emphasize sterilization, vaccination, and returning community dogs to their original habitats rather than displacing them.
The ABC approach, endorsed by the World Health Organization since 1990, is considered the only scientifically effective and humane method for managing community dog populations sustainably. Abraham stresses that these dogs are community members, not strays, and displacing them could cause stress, increase aggressive behavior, and generate public health risks by disrupting established dog territories.
The Supreme Court's order has directed NCT Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, MCD, and NMDC to start picking up stray dogs from all localities, particularly from more vulnerable ones. The authorities have been ordered to create dog shelters with sufficient staff for sterilization and immunization, maintain a record of daily stray dogs captured and detained, and create a helpline for dog bite complaints, with the offending animal picked up within four hours of a complaint.
However, Abraham argues that the ABC approach, which balances effective population control with humane and pragmatic treatment of community dogs, should be the preferred method. He suggests continued and expanded implementation of the ABC program, community engagement to support and care for community dogs, regular vaccination drives to prevent rabies and other diseases, and education and awareness campaigns to improve coexistence between humans and community dogs.
CCTV monitoring will ensure compliance, and no dog should be released back into the street or public spaces. Contempt proceedings have been ordered against anyone obstructing the authorities from carrying out the capture drive. It is important to note that no captured animal will be released back on the streets.
Abraham urges the judiciary to reconsider relocation orders in favor of the established ABC approach, which has proven effective in cities like Jaipur (70% of dogs sterilized) and Lucknow (84%). He requests the CJI to consider the case with compassion, science-based solutions, and compliance with Indian law to protect animals.
- John Abraham, in his recent letter, suggests that instead of relocating the estimated 10 lakh community dogs in Delhi, the authorities should focus on the Animal Birth Control (ABC) approach, which is both humane and effective in managing community dog populations.
- Abraham also advocates for continued implementation of the ABC program, including community engagement, regular vaccination drives, education campaigns, and CCTV monitoring to ensure the welfare of community dogs, rather than implementing the Supreme Court's order to relocate them.
