The Supreme Court’s directive to remove all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi and house them in shelters has sparked intense public debate, especially among politicians, activists, and animal welfare advocates. Maneka Gandhi, BJP leader and prominent animal rights activist, has been vocal in her criticism, highlighting the practical, financial, and ethical challenges presented by the order.

• No Support for Animal Mistreatment: Maneka Gandhi emphasized that nobody favors the ill-treatment of animals. She acknowledged public concerns about safety and agreed with the intention to prevent dog bite incidents. However, she insists that removing animals is not a lasting solution and does not address the core problems.

• Impractical and Costly Solution: Gandhi described the Supreme Court’s order as “impractical,” “financially unviable,” and likely to create more issues than it solves. She reasoned that removing three lakh stray dogs from Delhi would simply create a vacuum, with a fresh influx arriving from neighboring regions like Ghaziabad and Faridabad in search of abundant food. This, she warned, would turn the measure into a never-ending, resource-draining cycle.

• Ecological Consequences: Drawing parallels with historical events, Gandhi warned that removing dogs could upset the urban ecological balance. She recalled how the removal of stray dogs and cats in 1880s Paris led to a surge in rats, as dogs play a vital role in rodent control. Similarly, she has observed an increase in monkeys when dogs are removed from certain areas, creating new public nuisances and health risks.

• Addressing Root Causes: Gandhi stressed the urgent need to regulate illegal meat shops and chicken centers in Delhi, arguing that these establishments contribute to the stray animal problem by providing an ample food supply. She called for the law to be enforced strictly against such businesses if a sustainable solution is to be found.

• Call for Humane and Thoughtful Review: The BJP leader appealed to the Chief Justice to approach the issue with empathy and to review the judgment carefully, seeking a solution that aligns with both animal welfare and public interest. She advocated for minimizing conflicts between humans and animals and promoting coexistence, stating, "We all want fewer dogs, no biting, and peaceful living for both humans and animals".

Maneka Gandhi and other experts have highlighted the immense logistical and financial barriers to implementing the Supreme Court’s order. The lack of government-run shelters, high setup and operational costs, and the likelihood of continued influxes from surrounding regions make the plan highly challenging. Additionally, such large-scale relocation could lead to public backlash and has been deemed “a very strange judgment given by someone in anger,” suggesting more thoughtful, long-term policy approaches are needed.