Mumbai Youth Congress Challenges Supreme Court Order on Stray Dog Removal: Legal and Ethical Concerns Raised

The Mumbai Youth Congress has addressed a letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, requesting an immediate stay on the Supreme Court's November 7 order that mandates the removal of stray dogs from public institution premises. The organization argues that this directive is "neither legally sound nor scientifically justified."

Mumbai Youth Congress President Zeenat Shabrin expressed concern in a media statement saying, "We are here to fight for the voiceless. Where is the infrastructure to move these dogs?" She emphasized that vaccination (sterilisation & immunisation) has long been established as the humane approach, yet "a wipe out of dogs is being carried out."

In their formal communication, the Youth Congress called for an immediate suspension of the court order and requested a rehearing before a Constitution Bench. They argued that humane, lawful, and sustainable solutions already exist but have been overlooked in the current ruling.

The letter outlined several key concerns, including that the Supreme Court's order was issued without hearing intervenors or their legal representatives, potentially violating fundamental principles of natural justice.

The Youth Congress further highlighted that the order contradicts the statutory framework established by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act) and the latest Animal Birth Control Rules of 2023, which mandate humane treatment and advocate for catch-neuter-vaccinate-release (CNVR) protocols rather than comprehensive removal.

Given the limited infrastructure available, the letter warns that the shelters and pounds required by the court ruling are unlikely to meet necessary animal-welfare standards, potentially causing unnecessary suffering to dogs in violation of the PCA Act.

Additionally, the order appears to disregard long-standing efforts by animal caregivers and NGOs who have developed humane solutions over time. Their scientific, legal, and rational objections were not considered in the judgment.

The Supreme Court order, delivered by a three-judge bench, instructs all states and union territories to remove stray dogs from specified public institution premises, including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, transportation hubs, and sports complexes within a specified timeframe. The directive requires relocated dogs to be sterilized, dewormed, and vaccinated, while explicitly prohibiting their release back into the same locations.

Animal welfare experts and activists have cautioned that this directive, while intended to enhance public safety, may conflict with constitutional and statutory principles of animal dignity and compassion, particularly given the persistent lack of funding, shelter facilities, and infrastructure deficiencies that have been repeatedly documented over decades.

Shabrin noted, "This judgement has overshadowed other major campaigns, including our party's vote-chori campaign led by Rahul Gandhi, but we remain committed to giving voice to those without one."