Animal welfare activists in Bengaluru staged a large-scale protest at Freedom Park on Saturday, voicing opposition to the Supreme Court’s recent order on stray dogs in Delhi. The demonstration, organised as a solidarity march, drew nearly 400 participants from across the city, united under the call for freedom and protection of community dogs.
The march was spearheaded by Abhishek R. Kundinya, founder of United for Compassion, alongside Sahana Hegde from Sahavarthin Animal Trust. Addressing the gathering, Kundinya said, “With this march, we pledge support for Delhi’s dogs and for animals across India. Our mission goes beyond one event — we aim to build a strong, united community that stands for our street dogs and supports one another. Together, we’re creating a compassionate network dedicated to animal welfare.”
Participants carried placards, raised slogans, and signed petitions to register their protest against the decision to impound stray dogs, which they argued violates both compassion and constitutional principles of animal protection. Activists stressed that community dogs are an integral part of urban life, often providing security and companionship, and must not be treated as a nuisance.
Many also called for humane approaches such as sterilisation drives, vaccination programs, and greater awareness among citizens to coexist with street animals. The protest ended with a pledge to continue advocacy at both the legal and community levels, signalling that the fight for the rights of stray dogs is far from over.