Bollywood actor John Abraham, known for his strong stance on animal welfare, has written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) requesting a review of the Supreme Court’s recent directive mandating the permanent relocation of stray dogs from public streets to designated animal shelters. The letter, which surfaced just a day after the court’s order, has sparked fresh debate between animal rights activists and those advocating stricter street animal control.

On Monday, the Supreme Court of India issued a ruling instructing municipal and state authorities to immediately begin removing all stray dogs from public spaces and relocating them to shelters “at the earliest.” The court’s decision follows years of petitions and public complaints about stray dog attacks, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.

While the order was welcomed by several public safety advocates, animal welfare organisations have raised alarm, claiming that such a sweeping measure could destabilise the urban ecosystem, lead to overcrowded and underfunded shelters, and severely impact the health of both the animals and the communities that care for them.

John Abraham’s Intervention
In his letter to the CJI, John Abraham emphasised that stray dogs are an integral part of Indian society and that many communities feed and care for them voluntarily. He cautioned that sudden mass relocation would cause distress to the animals, potentially increase disease transmission in overcrowded shelters, and deprive neighbourhoods of their natural protectors against pests and intruders.

He further argued that the issue must be addressed with scientific, humane, and sustainable measures such as sterilisation drives, vaccination campaigns, and community awareness programmes rather than total removal. “This is not just an animal welfare issue; it is about co-existence, empathy, and balanced governance,” John reportedly wrote.

Supreme Court’s Standpoint
The bench, while issuing its order, had observed that stray dogs often create public safety hazards, especially for children and elderly citizens. The court maintained that its priority was the protection of human life, noting that attacks by strays have been on the rise in several states. It directed local administrations to ensure that shelters were adequately funded, staffed, and equipped to house the relocated dogs.

Reactions from Animal Welfare Groups
Animal activists have warned that implementing the court’s order without adequate infrastructure could lead to severe neglect, malnutrition, and increased mortality rates for the animals. They have also pointed out that Indian cities lack the capacity to house millions of street dogs in conditions that meet basic welfare standards.

Several NGOs are reportedly preparing to file review petitions in the Supreme Court, arguing that relocation violates the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023, which promote sterilisation and return of strays to their original territories after vaccination.

A Call for Balanced Solutions
The debate has once again highlighted the deep divide between public safety concerns and animal rights advocacy in India. While many citizens support removal of strays from busy streets, others believe that the answer lies in long-term sterilisation and vaccination programmes, public education, and responsible pet ownership to prevent abandonment.

For now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court to see if it entertains review petitions — and whether John Abraham’s high-profile intervention will sway the conversation toward a more balanced, humane approach.

If the court does reconsider, experts believe it may seek middle-ground measures, possibly involving stricter dog registration laws, improved shelter standards, and community participation in care rather than mass removals.

The controversy underscores a pressing reality: India’s human–animal coexistence challenge is as much a question of infrastructure and governance as it is about compassion and empathy. The coming weeks could set a new precedent in how the country handles one of its most visible and emotionally charged civic issues.

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