'Dog lives matter': Protests rock Chennai after Delhi's stray dog capture order

Hundreds of animal lovers, accompanied by street dogs, gathered at Chennai's Canal Road on Sunday in a demonstration against the recent Supreme Court order directing the capture and sheltering of stray dogs, particularly in Delhi. The protest, which drew nearly 500 participants including children and young adults, was marked by placards reading ‘Speak for the Voiceless’, ‘Home is Not a Cage’, and ‘End the Injustice Against Delhi Street Dogs’.

The protest was spearheaded by animal rights activist Sai Vignesh, who strongly criticised the Supreme Court directive, calling it "totally unscientific and immoral". He warned that authorities across India are attempting to implement the same order beyond Delhi, which he said could lead to widespread animal suffering.

“We already have the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023, which offer a scientific solution to manage stray dog populations and eradicate rabies,” said Vignesh. “These rules are based on recommendations from the World Health Organisation and the World Organisation for Animal Health. Cities like Goa and Jaipur have achieved 100 per cent rabies-free status through ABC and vaccination, not caging.”

Addressing the Court's concern over public safety and incidents of dog bites, Vignesh argued that such cases are being selectively highlighted. “In 2024, in Vasai, Maharashtra, a stray dog saved a woman from a sexual assault. In 2023, a baby was rescued in Bhopal after a dog alerted authorities during a building collapse. These acts of loyalty and courage don’t go viral, but one bite incident overshadows them all,” he said.

Drawing a provocative parallel, he added, “Just because some men commit rape, do we cage all men? The same logic applies to dogs.”

Vignesh further warned of the logistical and ethical consequences of large-scale caging. “There are an estimated six crore stray dogs in India. The government simply does not have the financial or infrastructural capacity to shelter them all. Dogs are territorial and social animals, putting unfamiliar dogs together leads to violent conflicts, disease outbreaks, starvation, and death.”

The protesters called for compassionate, science-based action in line with Article 51A(g) of the Constitution, which encourages citizens to show compassion for all living creatures. Their message was clear: mass confinement is not a solution—they advocate for sustained animal birth control, vaccination, and community engagement.

- Ends