“Maneka Gandhi Cites Paris Incident in Response to SC Order on Stray Dogs”

Maneka Gandhi Slams SC Order on Removing Stray Dogs, Warns of Ecological Fallout

Former Union Minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi has sharply criticised the Supreme Court’s order to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets within six to eight weeks, calling it “impractical,” “financially unviable,” and “ecologically risky.”

Speaking to PTI, Gandhi said Delhi has around three lakh stray dogs, and relocating them would require 3,000 pounds with full facilities — costing roughly ₹15,000 crore. Feeding them would add another ₹5 crore per week, she claimed, noting the absence of even a single government-run dog shelter in the capital.

She questioned the legal standing of the ruling, pointing out that a different bench had issued a “balanced” judgment on the same issue just a month earlier. Gandhi also disputed the case’s premise, alleging it was triggered by a false report of a fatal dog attack — the victim, she said, had died of meningitis.

Warning of unintended consequences, Gandhi said mass removal could trigger an influx of dogs from nearby cities and cause monkeys to move to ground level. Drawing a historical parallel, she cited 1880s Paris, where the culling of dogs and cats to control rabies led to a rat infestation.

Gandhi argued that the government already has a consensus-driven plan to manage the dog population through sterilisation, vaccinations, and strict bans on relocation. She urged that Animal Birth Control centres be run only by recognised entities, monitored locally, and operate within set zones.

The SC, while hearing a suo motu case on rising dog-bite incidents, has directed civic bodies to sterilise, vaccinate, and permanently shelter all strays. It also ordered immediate capacity for 5,000 dogs, deployment of staff, CCTV installation, a helpline for bite cases, and formation of a dedicated task force.