Animal Rights Activists Express Concerns as MCD Plans to Remove Street Dogs Before G20 Summit

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced a month-long drive to remove street dogs from at least 50 locations across the Capital ahead of the G20 summit in September. The decision aims to ensure the convenience and safety of delegates and tourists during the high-profile event. However, the order has raised concerns among animal rights activists regarding the care and security of the dogs during this relocation process.

Animal rights activists argue that such relocations may lead to disease transmission and pose challenges for Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers, which may be unable to host the dogs for an extended period. It is also highlighted that keeping street dogs at ABC centers for over seven days violates the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023.

The MCD’s veterinary department has ordered its zonal offices and NGOs to count the number of dogs in and around G20 locations and shift them to ABC centers for up to six weeks. The drive, starting on Friday and continuing until August 30, will involve civic staff, NGOs, and private veterinary doctors. Identified locations include tourist spots like Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, and Hauz Khas.

While MCD has 18 ABC centers operating with the help of NGOs and private veterinary doctors, activists argue that these centers are already operating at maximum capacity. The activists expressed concerns about the dogs falling sick during the long-term relocation and advocated for implementing the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 as a permanent solution.

Animal welfare experts emphasize the importance of proper monitoring. They also want to enforce the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 to find a permanent solution to manage street dogs in Delhi. The MCD assures that there will be enough provisions for care and feeding at ABC centers during the relocation period. The dogs will be released back into the same area after the summit.

Experts from the veterinary field urge the MCD to learn from past experiences and ensure proper waste disposal to prevent more dogs from entering areas after relocation. While Delhi’s exact street dog population is unknown, estimates from past surveys indicate it to be around 800,000.