NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Wednesady said he would “look into” a plea challenging the Supreme Court’s recent order to relocate all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters.According to LiveLaw, the matter was mentioned before the CJI, with counsel pointing out that another bench headed by Justice J K Maheshwari had earlier issued directions against the killing and relocation of community dogs.Also read: Protests erupt in Capital, many detained; Peta slams ‘illogical’ rulingAs per Bar & Bench, the advocate referred to a previous judgment — in which Justice Sanjay Karol was part of the bench — emphasising that “compassion for all living beings has to be there”. CJI Gavai responded, “But the other judge bench has already passed orders. I will look into this.”The remarks came after a bench led by Justice J B Pardiwala on August 11 directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be moved to shelters, without exception. That bench said no captured animal should be released back on the streets, warned of contempt action against those obstructing the drives, and ordered civic bodies to set up shelters with sterilisation and immunisation facilities.

‘Removing dogs in this manner is wrong’

A debate erupted following directive to capture stray dogs and house them in shelters. While many residents view the move as a relief amidst rising dog bite incidents, animal lovers argue it is unjust to remove all strays from the streets.Dog lovers insist that proper vaccination and sterilisation should be the focus, not removal. “Work should be done for animal birth control,” said a member of Save Animal, an NGO. “Removing dogs in this manner is wrong.”Also read: Where do they go after recovery? Sparks panic among organisations and caregivers in Delhi-NCRIn Gurugram, around 700–800 dog bite cases are reported monthly, with most involving pet dogs. Recent high-profile attacks, including a Siberian Husky on Golf Course Road and a Pakistani Gul Dong in Palam Vihar, have heightened fears.

“The number of stray dogs has increased so much that dogs are found sitting at a short distance from the houses,” said Kamal Goyal from Antriksh Heights. Naveen Chandra of RD City echoed, “If aggressive dogs are removed, people will get relief.”However, animal welfare centres are overwhelmed. “Placing dogs in a shelter permanently is not at all a good idea,” said Gaurav Dar of Dulari Animal Welfare Centre, which treats around 300 dogs monthly. Without state-run shelters, NGOs fear overcrowding and a lack of resources.“The approach of removing dogs to shelters means sweeping incarceration of all community dogs,” warned Geeta Seshamani of Friendicoes-SECA, calling the order impractical.Political leaders have joined the outcry. “They do not deserve this kind of cruelty,” wrote Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on X. Maneka Gandhi added, “It is not an implementable order… the judgement was given in anger.”Despite the backlash, the directive stands. Protesters at India Gate were detained, with one saying, “I am being detained because I do the noble work of feeding animals.”