When Paris Killed Dogs Maneka Gandhi Slams Supreme Court’s Stray Removal Order, Warns of 1880s Paris Disaster

Animal rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has strongly criticised the Supreme Court’s recent order to remove stray dogs from Delhi-NCR, calling it “impractical,” “financially unviable,” and dangerous for the city’s ecological balance.

The apex court, terming the stray dog menace “extremely grim,” directed the Delhi government and civic bodies to round up strays from all localities and place them in shelters, warning of strict action against anyone obstructing the process.

Gandhi’s Objections

Gandhi argued that Delhi has over three lakh stray dogs, and building adequate shelters would require at least Rs 15,000 crore plus an additional Rs 5 crore weekly for feeding. “Does Delhi have Rs 15,000 crore for this?” she asked, warning that the move could trigger public outrage.

She also questioned the legal validity of the order, noting that a separate Supreme Court bench had issued a “balanced judgment” just a month earlier.

The Paris Warning

Invoking history, Gandhi referred to Paris in the 1880s, when mass removal of dogs and cats led to a rat infestation. She stressed that stray dogs play a crucial role in controlling rodents, adding, “Once you remove the dogs, monkeys will come on the ground. I’ve seen this happen at my own house.”

She further warned that Delhi could quickly be repopulated with strays from nearby cities like Ghaziabad and Faridabad within days due to the availability of food.

Ground-Level Resistance Predicted

Gandhi predicted clashes with local animal feeders if mass captures are attempted. “You’ll have a pitched battle on every street. Why are we destabilising Delhi?” she asked.

Government Response

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta acknowledged the stray dog issue as a “gigantic problem” and promised a planned policy rollout. Development Minister Kapil Mishra said the move would help “free the city from the fear of rabies and stray animals.”