Animal welfare advocates in Hyderabad have raised a strong voice against the misuse of a recent Supreme Court directive concerning stray dogs. They argue the order should not be seen as permission to persecute or kill community animals.
Peaceful Protest Against Misinterpretation
On Sunday, activists gathered for a peaceful demonstration at Dharna Chowk in the city. Holding creatively designed placards, they appealed to the apex court to reconsider its November 7, 2025 order. That order directed authorities to remove stray dogs from public spaces like schools, hospitals, and transport hubs and relocate them to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination, in alignment with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
The protesters emphasised that streets are home to these dogs and that the court's directive is being dangerously misinterpreted in many areas. They reported a noticeable surge in acts of cruelty and illegal dog-catching operations since the order was issued.
Warnings of Vacuum Effect and Lifelong Confinement
Activists highlighted several critical flaws in the mass relocation approach. They pointed out that past attempts to remove street dogs have consistently failed. Anjali Lal Gupta, an animal rights activist, stated, "Killing dogs never reduced their population." She cited examples from countries like Bhutan and the Netherlands, and Indian cities like Bhopal, where humane and scientific methods have proven successful.
Protesters explained that relocating sterilised and vaccinated dogs creates a "vacuum effect." This means the emptied territory is quickly occupied by new, unvaccinated, and unsterilised dogs, which can actually increase the risk of rabies and other safety issues. They also warned that the order could result in millions of dogs being confined to shelters for life, a condition they argue violates the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
A Call for Scientific and Compassionate Solutions
The activists stressed that the only legal, effective, and humane way to manage street dog populations is through sustained sterilisation and vaccination. They championed the Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) model, which is recommended by the World Health Organization and embedded in India's own ABC Rules. Under this model, dogs are returned to their original territories after treatment, maintaining stable, vaccinated populations.
Rao Vandana of the Association for Animal Shelter and Rescue Aid (AASRA) clarified the protesters' stance. "We are not protesting against the judiciary," she said. "We are opposing the dangerous misunderstanding that threatens innocent lives and undermines proven public safety measures."
Animal groups concluded that the current misinterpretation of the court order risks undoing years of progress in rabies control and the hard-won peaceful coexistence between humans and community dogs. They urged for solutions that are long-term, compassionate, and grounded in science.
