Earlier in the day, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan stressed that every neighbourhood should be made free of stray dogs without exception.
Image Source: Instagram
Vir Das on stray dog adoptions: The Supreme Court’s recent order to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets and place them in shelters has triggered strong reactions across the country.
On one hand, some citizens believe the move will make public spaces safer and reduce incidents of dog bites. On the other, animal rights advocates argue that the decision ignores animal welfare principles and the emotional connection many communities share with stray dogs.
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Amid this heated discussion, comedian and actor Vir Das took to Instagram on Monday evening to share a message. He urged residents of Delhi to step in and help, by opening their homes to street dogs.
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“If you are a resident of Delhi, can I persuade you to adopt an indie off the streets? Maybe more than one? They’re healthy, low maintenance, and will give you more love, affection, and gratitude than you could imagine,” he wrote.
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Vir Das encouraged people to not only adopt but also support local animal welfare organisations. “As appeals are filed in court and processes take time, it’s important for our humanity to kick in immediately. Please do your part, big or small, it all adds up,” he added.
Along with his post, he shared photos of two dogs he himself adopted from the streets a few years ago.
Earlier in the day, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan stressed that every neighbourhood should be made free of stray dogs without exception. They ruled that once dogs are picked up, they cannot be released back onto the streets.
The court issued strict warnings against any individual or group trying to interfere with the capture process. “If anyone obstructs the rounding up of stray dogs, we will take action against such resistance,” Justice Pardiwala said.
The Supreme Court also directed states and municipal bodies to set up shelters with adequate staff to sterilise and vaccinate the dogs. Authorities in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, MCD, and NMDC have been told to begin large-scale pickup operations immediately, prioritising high-risk areas.
The bench added that if special teams need to be created for this task, they must be formed without delay. “This should be the first and foremost exercise to make all localities free of stray dogs. There should not be any compromise,” the court said.
To address public safety concerns, the court ordered the creation of a 24-hour helpline in Delhi-NCR where residents can report dog bite cases. Once a complaint is lodged, the dog in question must be picked up within four hours.
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