Maneka Gandhi Alleges Corruption in Delhi’s Dog Sterilisation & Shelter System, Warns of Increased Stray Attacks
New Delhi, August 12 – Former Union Minister and noted animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi has levelled serious allegations against Delhi’s municipal authorities, accusing them of corruption, illegal relocation of stray dogs, and long-standing mismanagement in the capital’s animal shelter system.
Speaking to IANS on Tuesday, Gandhi claimed that these practices are worsening the stray dog menace rather than resolving it.
“Payment for 20,000 Sterilisations, Work Done for 10”
Gandhi alleged that several municipal dog shelters — referred to as A, B, and C centres — have been running unchecked for two decades, with no transparency or oversight.
“These centres claim to sterilise 10 dogs but take payment for 20,000,” she said.
“Earlier, when a senior MCD officer retired, he would be ‘gifted’ one of these centres to keep earning money. This has to stop. If these centres are fixed, all problems can be resolved within two years.”
Illegal Relocation Before National Events
The animal rights advocate also accused Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and municipal officials of illegally moving stray dogs out of upscale colonies, particularly before major national celebrations.
According to Gandhi, the practice not only violates the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules but also increases aggression and bite incidents among displaced animals.
“For the past six years, RWAs have been removing dogs from their areas and dumping them elsewhere. MCD does the same; if officers don’t like dogs in their neighbourhood, they send them to places like the lanes of Panchkuian,” she alleged.
Citing past instances, Gandhi noted that before Republic Day, dogs were removed from prominent venues to avoid their presence during public events.
“Last year, dogs from near Red Fort were dumped in Raja Garden,” she said.
Independence Day Operation Underway?
With Independence Day approaching, Gandhi claimed that a similar mass relocation is already being planned.
“They will remove 150 dogs from around Red Fort and dump them in Defence Colony. This relocation increases dog bites because the animals are scared, hungry, attacked by resident dogs, or beaten by locals in unfamiliar areas,” she warned.
Supreme Court’s Recent Directive
Gandhi’s remarks come days after the Supreme Court ordered the removal of all stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region to designated shelters.
Following the court’s direction, the Delhi government instructed municipal corporations in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram to:
- Build adequate dog shelters
- Move stray dogs to these facilities
- Submit progress reports to the court
However, animal rights activists, including Gandhi, argue that systemic corruption and lack of humane relocation protocols could make the situation worse.
The Bigger Picture
Delhi’s stray dog population has been a contentious public safety and animal welfare issue for years, with the debate often caught between:
- Public health concerns over dog bite incidents
- Animal welfare laws protecting stray animals’ right to remain in their territories after sterilisation and vaccination
Maneka Gandhi’s latest allegations shine a spotlight on what she describes as a deeply flawed and profit-driven system, calling for urgent reforms and strict monitoring to ensure both public safety and animal welfare are addressed.
