'Stray dogs deserve better,' protesters challenge SC order

Bengaluru: "We believe that our community animals deserve better, and we definitely do not think they deserve cruelty,” said Prapthi Mahendranath, public policy consultant and member of Kumara Park Animal Aid. Calling the treatment of community animals “unjust, unscientific, unnecessary and deeply wrong,” she addressed a peaceful protest held in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

More than 250 citizens gathered at Freedom Park to oppose the Supreme Court’s directive allowing the removal of street dogs from public institutions. Led by Kumara Park Animal Aid and supported by multiple canine squads and animal-welfare groups, the demonstration marked a key moment in the growing national movement for community-animal rights, drawing several well-known Bengalureans.

“It is only a community that can come together as one to make a significant difference in the lives of our streeties,” said Rashmi Bal, co-founder of Kumara Park Animal Aid. Event organiser Mansi Shah emphasised the need to integrate street animals into the urban and social fabric rather than isolate them.

Actor Aindrita Ray, who joined the protest, voiced concern about the consequences of removing vaccinated and sterilised dogs from the streets. “I’m so proud of my city that so many of us have come together to speak up for our street animals. If we remove our sterilised and vaccinated dogs, it creates a vacuum.

Other unvaccinated and unsterilised dogs from semi-urban areas will move in, and the problem will only get worse. This is not the solution at all,” she said. Prapthi highlighted extensive global case studies showing that removing street animals does not work. Instead, effective Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes and mass vaccination are the only scientifically proven long-term solutions.

She added that Bengaluru may be the only Indian city with a fully established, citywide animal-welfare network. More than 60 canine squads and animal-aid groups operate across the city, sterilising and vaccinating thousands of dogs every year. “We work in tandem with the BBMP and NGOs to care for all our street animals,” she said.

Protestors said the moment calls for collaboration, not confrontation. “We are on the same side and we are ready to work with them,” Prapthi noted, adding that the common goal is safe roads, safe neighbourhoods and safe cities. She said the protest was an appeal to policymakers and the judiciary to adopt evidence-based approaches rather than harmful quick fixes.

Among those present was advocate and cross-border legal strategist Viplavi Mahendra, who flew in from the UK. She reminded the crowd that although the Supreme Court’s directions are flawed and will be challenged, they do not permit anyone to harm or kill community animals, and that any cruelty will have legal consequences.

“Our street dogs protect us, especially the women who are the primary feeders. Their welfare is our welfare. Shelter situations are not ideal for healthy dogs; the only time a dog should be in a shelter is when they cannot survive on the streets,” said Keerthan RP, Manager at Charlie’s Animal Rescue, highlighting the protective role played by community dogs.

Arun Prasad, State General Secretary of the Bahujan Samaj Party, criticised contradictions in the court directive. “The law says that ABC and AWBI rules govern the treatment of street dogs, and these clearly state that sterilised and vaccinated dogs cannot be kept in shelters — they must be released where they were picked up.

But the Supreme Court now directs that these very dogs be kept in shelters,” he said. Citizens from all walks of life urged authorities to make Bengaluru and Karnataka models of co existence, compassion and public health. Many drew inspiration from Basavanna’s teaching that “compassion is the root of all religions, and a religion is meaningless without compassion.”

Participants said to day’s protest marks the beginning of a long, determined fight that will continue.