Target: Ashwani Kumar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi, India
Goal: Pursue maximum penalties and sweeping reforms for those who reportedly left shelter dogs hogtied and unfed in filthy, dangerous conditions.
Activists reportedly entered a municipal animal shelter and found dogs with their legs and forelimbs tied, many left without food, inside a facility described as rotting and strewn with disturbing remains. Volunteers also reportedly encountered goats housed alongside stressed dogs, an arrangement that can intensify fear and injury. Some visitors further alleged that when they confronted on-site officials, they were physically assaulted.
These reported scenes—dogs restrained and hungry amid broken infrastructure, animal skulls, and neglect—appear to directly conflict with the Supreme Court’s mandate for humane sterilisation and release. The shelter’s condition was described as unsanitary and unsafe, with animals allegedly deprived of basic necessities, including clean housing and regular feeding. Such accounts suggest a breakdown in oversight, contractor performance, and on-site supervision.
Immediate action is necessary to protect vulnerable animals and restore public trust. Sign below to call on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to ensure those allegedly responsible face appropriate punishment, to implement enforceable standards with 24/7 CCTV and public reporting, and to guarantee that all animals receive prompt veterinary care and humane handling in line with the Court’s order.
PETITION LETTER:
Commissioner Kumar,
A day after the Supreme Court reaffirmed humane sterilisation and release, activists visiting a municipal shelter discovered dogs allegedly hogtied and left unfed in crumbling, unsanitary quarters. Witnesses also described goats being kept alongside distressed dogs and, when concerns were raised, officials allegedly resorted to physical aggression. These accounts paint a picture of apparent cruelty, mismanagement, and disregard for the Court’s directions.
We respectfully urge the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to act decisively: immediately secure the animals’ safety; suspend and investigate any staff, contractors, or supervisors allegedly involved; and file criminal complaints where evidence supports prosecution. Please also order a transparent, independent audit of the shelter, including continuous CCTV coverage stored off-site, daily veterinary logs, and public release of compliance reports.
Finally, we ask that you enforce strict contractual penalties and permanent blacklisting for any vendor found to have violated humane-care requirements, while instituting mandatory training and surprise inspections across all facilities. Animals reportedly suffered needlessly; those responsible should face meaningful consequences, and the system must be fixed so this never happens again.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Travis Wise
