Removal of community dogs from residential areas illegal, says animal welfare group

Humane World for Animals India has warned city administrations against removing street and community dogs from residential areas, calling the practice illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Animal Birth Control Rules. It urged humane sterilization instead of forcible removal.

Hyderabad: Humane World for Animals India, animal protection organization, said the relocation or removal of street and community dogs from residential areas remains illegal as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and Animal Birth Control Rules 2023.

The organization has called on city administrations to stop unlawful dog removals happening under the guise of ‘court orders.’ “No order from the Supreme Court has permitted the removal of dogs from residential or community areas,” the organization said on Monday.

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According to the organization, the recent court directions apply only to the removal of dogs from specific institutional institutions like hospitals, schools, colleges, railway stations and bus stops.

“Unfortunately, we are coming across incidents where dogs are being picked up indiscriminately from neighbourhoods, and this must stop,” it said.
Keren Nazareth, senior director, companion animals and engagement team of Humane World for Animals India, emphasized that humane and scientific Animal Birth Control (ABC) is the only lawful and ethical approach to managing community dog populations.

“If cities have the capacity to pick up and shelter dogs overnight, they certainly have the capacity to run effective ABC programs,” Nazareth said.
In cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi, community dogs are being forcibly caught, dragged and transported in a visibly cruel and distressing manner, which is unacceptable and in violation of the law, she said, adding that such actions not only inflict unnecessary suffering on animals but also cause fear and distress among local residents who care for these community dogs.

“Instead of spending public resources on unlawful removals, cities should channel that effort into humane, lawful and lasting solutions. If only the same urgency was shown for sterilization and vaccination, we would not be here today,” she added.