Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Government of NCT of Delhi before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, on Wednesday described the current debate on stray dog management as being dominated by “a loud vocal minority” while “a silent suffering majority” continues to face daily threats.
The bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria was hearing pleas seeking a stay on the August 11 directions of a two-judge bench mandating the immediate removal of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelter homes.
“I have seen people posting videos of eating meat and then claiming to be animal lovers,” the Solicitor General said, questioning the perceived double standards of some activists opposing the relocation order.
Citing grave public safety concerns, Mehta told the court that several children have lost their lives to rabies caused by dog bites. “Sterilisation does not stop rabies. Even if the dogs are immunised, that won’t stop them from mutilating children,” he said, referring to Economic Times data estimating 37 lakh dog bites every year in India – averaging about 10,000 per day – and World Health Organization figures showing 20,000 annual rabies deaths.
Drawing a parallel, he added, “Only four or five species of snakes are poisonous. But we don’t keep them at homes. Nobody is saying kill dogs. They need to be separated. Kids are not able to play outside or go to school.”
The Solicitor General’s remarks came amid mounting legal and political disputes over the August 11 order, which activists say conflicts with earlier Supreme Court rulings and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. Opponents have argued that mass relocation could lead to overcrowded shelters, disease outbreaks, and eventual culling.
The bench has reserved its order on whether to stay the August 11 directions, with sharp divisions remaining between public safety advocates and animal rights groups.
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