‘Dogs are Delhiites’: John Abraham writes to CJI, urges review of Supreme Court order on stray dogs; calls relocation inhumane, impractical

NEW DELHI: Bollywood actor John Abraham on Tuesday urged Chief Justice of India Justice BR Gavai to review the recent Supreme Court directive ordering the removal of Delhi’s stray dogs and shifting them to shelters or distant locations, calling the order illegal, impractical, and inhumane. In a letter sent to the CJI, John stressed, “I hope you will agree that these are not ‘strays’ but community dogs—respected and loved by many, and very much Delhiites in their own right, having lived in the region as neighbours to humans for generations.” Highlighting their status as integral members of Delhi’s urban fabric, the actor pointed out that the Supreme Court’s order conflicts with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which mandate sterilisation, vaccination, and return of community dogs to their original habitats rather than displacement.

These rules and previous Supreme Court rulings endorse a scientific, humane approach to managing community dog populations. John cited successful ABC programmes in Jaipur and Lucknow, where sterilisation rates exceed 70%, resulting in calmer animals, fewer territorial fights, and reduced rabies risk. “With an estimated 10 lakh community dogs, Delhi’s canine population are its true residents,” he wrote. “It is neither practical nor humane to shelter or relocate them all.”

He warned that removal only creates a vacuum inviting unsterilised, unvaccinated dogs, escalating territorial conflicts and public health dangers. Urging compassion and science-based solutions, John called for a review of the order to uphold constitutional values of coexistence and protect public health while honouring Delhi’s community dogs—who, as neighbours for generations, are as much Delhiites as its human residents.