To: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner, Mr. Aswini Kumar, and Deputy Director (VS) Dr. S.K. Yadav

We, the concerned citizens of India, respectfully urge the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to halt the ongoing relocation of sterilized and vaccinated community dogs from the Civic Centre premises, Minto Road, and nearby areas. These actions appear to be in direct conflict with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.

At the Civic Centre — home to the offices of the MCD and Income Tax Department — these dogs have lived peacefully for years. Ms. Alka Singh Bhargava, retired IRS officer and former Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, has been feeding and caring for around 45 dogs here. All are docile, vaccinated, sterilized, and pose no nuisance. Feeding is done responsibly after office hours, with the area cleaned to maintain hygiene.

Despite this, over 15 dogs were recently removed on orders from the MCD Commissioner and taken to Bela Road. Elderly and frail animals, some barely able to see, were among those seized. Feeding has been halted entirely, and guards have warned that remaining dogs may also be removed.

This is not only cruel — it is unlawful. Under the ABC Rules, 2023:

• Rule 7(6): Sterilized and vaccinated dogs must not be relocated from their territory except in rare circumstances (e.g., rabies-positive cases).
• Rule 10(2): Feeding spots must be designated in consultation with Animal Welfare Organisations.
• Rule 7(4): Unwarranted capture or relocation amounts to cruelty.
• Rule 11: Dogs must be returned to their original location post-sterilization/vaccination.

Why this matters at the Civic Centre specifically:

Civic Centre is surrounded by Turkman Gate, Minto Road (an arterial road), New Delhi Railway Station on one side, Old Delhi on the other, and other high-footfall areas.

Removing the stable, healthy dog population here creates a vacuum that will be quickly filled by dogs straying in from surrounding areas — many of them unsterilized and unvaccinated.

This “replacement effect” increases rabies risk and leads to fights among unfamiliar dogs.

Minto Road’s heavy traffic means stray dogs crossing or chasing food could lead to serious road accidents.

Forcing feeders to give food outside the Civic Centre premises — on roads or pavements — risks obstruction, traffic incidents, and public inconvenience.

The Civic Centre’s busy roads and pedestrian paths make safe, internal feeding spots essential to keep dogs settled and away from public thoroughfares.
A better approach:

Maintain the current vaccinated, sterilized Civic Centre dog population.
Carry out rigorous ABC and vaccination drives in surrounding zones (Turkman Gate, Minto Road, New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi) to prevent unsterilized dogs from moving in.
Work with NGOs to designate safe, hygienic feeding zones inside the Civic Centre, away from pedestrian and vehicle routes.

We request the MCD to:

1. Return all relocated dogs to their original Civic Centre territories immediately.
2. Stop further removals of sterilized and vaccinated dogs.
   Implement a comprehensive ABC programme in surrounding high-density dog areas to prevent population influx.
3. Designate safe feeding areas in consultation with animal welfare groups, ensuring both animal care and public safety.
4. The Civic Centre dogs are part of the city’s ecosystem, protected under Indian law. By safeguarding them, the MCD can set a humane, lawful, and sustainable example for urban animal management.

Sign this petition to keep the Civic Centre dogs safe, healthy, and home where they belong.