Former India cricket captain Kapil Dev has urged Delhi and NCR authorities to undertake compassionate alternate options for managing stray canines, following a Supreme Courtroom directive to seize and confine them.
In a video message shared by animal welfare group Petfamilia, the 1983 World Cup-winning skipper made a heartfelt enchantment for the welfare of road canines.
“I do know a number of issues are being stated in regards to the canines. However, as a citizen, I really feel they’re essentially the most stunning creatures. So I request to authorities to look into them and provides them a greater life and don’t throw them out,” Kapil Dev stated.
Kapil Dev’s concern for stray canines is longstanding. In 2023, he approached the Delhi Excessive Courtroom to problem provisions within the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that permitted the euthanasia of stray canines. His authorized motion adopted the brutal killing of a pregnant stray in Delhi in November 2022 — an incident that additionally led him to maneuver the Supreme Courtroom.
His latest message underscores an ethical name to motion, advocating for secure shelters, higher veterinary care, and long-term methods that stability public security with compassion for animals.
The Supreme Courtroom just lately instructed the Delhi authorities and civic our bodies to leash and shelter stray canines, making certain they aren’t returned to public areas. The transfer has stirred robust reactions from animal rights teams, who concern overcrowded services and neglect.
On August 14, a three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria reserved its order after listening to the matter, which has drawn public outcry since an earlier directive on August 11 ordered the elimination of all stray canines throughout NCR.
The listening to noticed sharp exchanges. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal urged the court docket to remain the order, warning that mass confinement may result in cruelty and public well being points. In distinction, Solicitor Basic Tushar Mehta cited over 37 lakh annual canine chunk circumstances as justification for the court docket’s stance.
The matter was taken up urgently after being talked about earlier than Chief Justice BR Gavai, who responded, “I’ll look into it.”
Whereas the case will subsequent be heard by the three-judge bench, critics of the August 11 order — together with politicians, public figures, and animal welfare advocates — have known as for a scientific, humane strategy centered on sterilisation, vaccination, and group care.
