'Violation of Apex Court order': Delhi authorities blamed for dog-bite incidents at JLN Stadium

By A Representative 

People for Animals (PFA), led by Ms. Ambika Shukla, has held the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) responsible for the recent dog-bite incidents at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, accusing it of violating Supreme Court directions regarding community dogs. The organisation’s on-ground fact-finding mission met stadium authorities and the two affected coaches to verify details surrounding the incidents, both of which occurred on October 3.

According to PFA, the MCD’s dog-catching drive that began on September 25 deviated sharply from established protocols followed during previous events. Earlier, all resident dogs were barricaded within a designated area under the supervision of caretakers. This time, the MCD acted without involving them, capturing only 11 dogs and moving them to a facility while others fled. The statement alleges that the partial removal of resident dogs created a “vacuum,” drawing in unfamiliar stray dogs from outside the premises, particularly attracted by food stalls. These new dogs, anxious and unacclimatised, reacted fearfully amid continued catching operations, leading to the bite incidents.

Both injured coaches reportedly identified the same black-and-white dog as the one responsible, describing it as a frightened animal being chased. PFA emphasised that this dog was not among the resident dogs of the stadium, which have lived there peacefully for over three decades under the care of a team headed by a retired school principal. The organisation added that no previous bite had ever been reported from these sterilised and vaccinated dogs, accustomed to high footfall and human activity.

PFA’s statement stressed that CCTV footage confirmed the 11 returned dogs remained confined behind barricades during the incidents. The group accused the MCD of “unscientific handling” and “performative optics,” arguing that its actions had compromised athlete safety rather than ensuring it.

“The unfortunate incidents were a direct result of unscientific handling by the municipality and its blatant violation of Supreme Court directions not to remove friendly, sterilised dogs from their areas,” the statement said.

PFA has demanded accountability from the civic body and urged it to reinstate the sterilised resident dogs as territorial buffers while working with caregivers instead of resorting to further round-ups. The organisation reiterated that public safety “is not achieved through fear but through collaboration, science, and responsibility.”