Actor John Abraham on Friday expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Court for modifying its earlier order on stray dogs in Delhi. The court has now directed that the animals should be sterilized and released back into their localities, rather than being permanently confined to shelters.

John, known for his strong stance on animal welfare, issued a statement through PETA India, saying, “On behalf of the dogs, I am grateful to the Supreme Court for basically ruling that there should be peaceful coexistence and that dogs should not be removed from the streets. However, the role of feeders in preparing friendly dogs for sterilization and vaccination must also be recognized and respected. Municipalities must ensure adequate feeding stations in every street for an effective animal birth control program.”

Earlier Appeal to the Chief Justice

Before this verdict, John had personally written to the Chief Justice of India, urging reconsideration of the earlier directive that required all stray dogs in Delhi to be captured within eight weeks and shifted to shelter homes or remote areas. In his letter, the actor highlighted that such a move would not only separate dogs from their familiar environment but also impact the bond shared between communities and their street dogs.

Community Dogs, Not Strays

Reiterating his views, John said that the dogs of Delhi should not be seen as strays but as “community dogs,” who are respected, cared for, and loved by many. “They are Delhiites in their own right, living as neighbours to humans for generations,” he added.

With the Supreme Court’s revised order, stray dogs in the capital will continue to live in their respective areas after sterilization and vaccination, ensuring both public safety and animal welfare.