Following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding stray dogs in Delhi, the issue continues to generate debate. Public figures, including politicians, actors, and social workers, have voiced their criticism of the court’s ruling. Animal rights activist and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi stated that she does not support the mistreatment of animals.
The Supreme Court’s decision aims to relocate all stray dogs to safe shelters due to the rising number of dog bite cases. According to statistics, nearly 300,000 dog bite cases were recorded between January 2022 and July 2025, with the majority involving stray dogs. This prompted the Supreme Court’s decision.
Gandhi emphasized that no one supports animal abuse. She acknowledged the public’s belief that removing the dogs would prevent children from being bitten, and she agrees with that sentiment. However, she pointed out that simply removing dogs from Delhi would be ineffective, as more dogs from neighboring areas like Ghaziabad and Faridabad would quickly replace them, given the ample food sources available for dogs in Delhi.
She also highlighted the issue of over 50,000 illegal chicken centers and unlicensed meat shops in Delhi, which contribute to the increasing stray dog population. Gandhi suggested that regulations should first be implemented for these establishments to control the issue effectively.
Gandhi expressed her desire for the Chief Justice to review the situation and explore the best possible solutions. She emphasized that the shared goal is to reduce the number of dogs, prevent dog bites, and ensure peace for humans, dogs, and all animals.