The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi Animal Welfare Board (DAWB) to submit a comprehensive affidavit detailing the latest steps taken to curb the alleged rampant illegal breeding of pedigree dogs in the national capital.
A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, while hearing a long-pending public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2018 by animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi, also impleaded the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Police as parties to the case. The court asked both authorities to file their responses as well.
“This petition has been pending for a long time and should end by now,” the bench remarked, while calling for updated information on enforcement efforts by DAWB. “Fresh affidavit be filed by the DAWB stating the steps taken by them to address the issues raised in the petition,” the court ordered.
The PIL alleges widespread illegal breeding of pedigree dogs in Delhi, often under inhumane and unhygienic conditions. It claims that breeders are operating without any registration or regulatory oversight in violation of statutory rules and guidelines.
The plea highlights that such unregulated breeding not only constitutes cruelty to animals but also leads to an increase in the population of street dogs, as pups are sold without being sterilised.
It states that dogs used for breeding are often subjected to repeated pregnancies to ensure two litters annually, and pups are sold even before weaning. “This leads to poor immunity and many pups succumbing to infections at a young age,” the plea adds.
Maulekhi’s petition seeks several directions from the court, including:
- Strict enforcement of breeding rules by the Delhi Animal Welfare Board
- Mandatory inspection of breeding establishments
- Penal action against unregistered breeders
- Public awareness campaigns promoting adoption of Indian breeds
It also seeks broader regulatory action to ensure that breeding practices are aligned with animal welfare laws and do not contribute to public health or animal population issues.
The matter will now proceed after the DAWB, MCD, and Delhi Police file their affidavits. The court is expected to examine the institutional response to the allegations before issuing further directions.
The case remains one of the few PILs in Delhi specifically addressing the intersection of animal rights, unregulated commerce, and urban pet culture.
