NEW DELHI: Around 150 people staged a protest outside a dog shelter home in Delhi’s Rohini area on Friday, alleging that the animals housed there were not being treated properly, the Delhi Police said on Saturday morning.According to the police, demonstrators claimed that due to alleged negligence, several dogs at the shelter had died. The protestors demanded immediate action to ensure proper care of the animals.Officials stated that to address the concerns raised, a lawyer and two representatives from the protest group were allowed to enter the shelter premises for verification. The Delhi Police added that the protest remained peaceful and hence no legal action was initiated. This development followed the Supreme Court’s revision on Friday of its earlier August 11 order regarding stray animals, ordering their release following sterilisation and immunisation. The Supreme Court clarified that stray dogs infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour would not be released back and would be kept separately. “Stray dogs will be released back to the same area after sterilisation and immunisation, except those infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour,” the court ordered. The court further mandated that no public feeding of dogs will be allowed and that dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs will be created. It instructed the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) to establish feeding areas in municipal wards and noted that animal lovers can submit applications to the MCD for the adoption of dogs. Earlier on August 19, a group of around 15-20 people, described by police as “dog lovers,” allegedly obstructed MCD workers during a stray dog-catching drive in Rohini. According to police, the group assaulted MCD staff, freed two captured dogs, and vandalised the MCD vehicle by smashing its windows and stealing the register and logbook. “A complaint was filed yesterday against a group of approximately 15-20 so-called dog lovers. They allegedly obstructed an MCD vehicle tasked with capturing stray dogs, freed two stray dogs, and assaulted the MCD staff—the incident involved vandalism, including breaking the vehicle’s window and stealing the register and logbook,” Rohini DCP Rajeev Ranjan said. “A case has been registered under sections for obstructing a public servant from discharging their duty and theft,” he added.
