John Abraham to Hon’ble Chief Justice on Supreme Court Direction to Jail Delhi Dogs: Dogs are Delhiites and They are Loved Hello, Today, actor and dog dad John Abraham sent an urgent appeal to Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice B. R Gavai, urging a review of the recent Supreme Court direction for the removal of Delhi’s community dogs to shelters and faraway places, calling it illegal, impractical, and inhumane. In his letter, John says, ‘I hope you will agree that these are not “strays” but community dogs—respected and loved by many, and very much Delhiites in their own right, having lived in the region as neighbours to humans for generations.’ He points out that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Dog Rules 2023 require the sterilisation, vaccination, and return of community dogs to their home areas—an approach endorsed by the World Health Organisation and proven effective in cities like Jaipur (70% dogs sterilised) and Lucknow (84%). The letter further warns that displacing Delhi’s estimated 10 lakh community dogs will not only cause suffering but also worsen public health risks, as new, unvaccinated dogs move in due to the ‘vacuum effect’ created by dogs who are removed. He appeals for compassion, science-based solutions, and compliance with Indian law to safeguard both humans and animals. John explains methodological animal birth control ‘safeguards public health while honouring our constitutional values of compassion and coexistence’. A copy of John Abraham’s letter is attached, and the full text is below. Will you please consider covering this news today? Kind regards, Sanskriti Bansore Lead Media and Celebrity Projects Coordinator PETA India Cell: 9167937382 12 August 2025 Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.R. Gavai Chief Justice of India Respected Justice Gavai, It has been widely reported that a recent judgment by the Division Bench comprising Hon’ble Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Hon’ble Justice R. Mahadevan has directed the removal of all stray dogs in Delhi from public spaces to shelters or far-off areas. I hope you will agree that these are not “strays” but community dogs—respected and loved by many, and very much Delhiites in their own right, having lived in the region as neighbours to humans for generations. As someone who has worked in animal protection for decades, I wish to respectfully point out that this directive directly conflicts with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, formerly the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 and the Supreme Court’s own judgements on the issue which have consistently upheld a methodical sterilisation programme, as recommended by World Health Organisation in 1990, as the only effective and scientific solution to address the community dog population. The ABC Rules prohibit the displacement of dogs, instead mandating their sterilisation, vaccination, and return to the very areas they inhabit. Where the ABC programme is implemented earnestly, it works. Jaipur has sterilised more than 70% of its dogs; Lucknow, 84%. Delhi can achieve the same. During sterilisation, dogs are vaccinated against rabies, and sterilisation results in calmer animals, fewer fights and bites, as they have no puppies to protect. Because community dogs are territorial, they also deter unsterilised, unvaccinated dogs from entering their areas. By contrast, displacement simply fails. Delhi has an estimated 10 lakh dogs. It is neither practical nor humane to shelter or relocate them all, and removal only opens the door for unfamiliar, unsterilised, and unvaccinated dogs to move in—leading to greater competition, territorial disputes, and public health risks. I respectfully request a review and modification of this judgment in favour of the lawful, humane, and effective ABC approach, which safeguards public health while honouring the constitutional values of compassion and coexistence, a stand the Supreme Court has consistently upheld since 2015. Sincerely, John Abraham