Delhi Court Slams NGO For Retaining Man's Pet Dogs Over Alleged Cruelty Despite Judicial Order For Release

A Delhi Court on Friday slammed an NGO for its negligent attitude and defying a judicial order directing it to release 10 dogs to its owner.

Additional Sessions Judge Surabhi Sharma Vats of Karkardooma Courts said that the NGO, Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre, miserably failed to comply with the judicial orders despite repeated opportunities and a categorical clarification that there was no stay.

“In view of the facts and circumstances discussed above, and keeping in mind the sensitivity of the matter involving living and sentient beings, it is directed that the dogs in question be released forthwith in favour of respondent no. 2, strictly in compliance with the orders dated 11.08.2025 and 24.12.2025 passed by the Ld. Trial Court since there is no stay granted by this Court in execution of these orders,” the Court said.

The NGO had approached the sessions judge challenging a JMFC order passed in August last year directing the NGO to release dogs to the owner, Vishal. The dog breeds are poodle, bichon, toy pom, shihtzu and maltese. A similar order was passed on December 24, 2025 for release of the dogs.

However, the owner contended that the NGO was taking bogus pleas for non-compliance of the said orders. It was his case that the NGO had taken custody of his pets on the alleged ground of cruelty. The NGO, on the other hand, contended that the custody of the pets cannot be returned to him.

The owner submitted that the NGO had taken away the dogs not for any genuine welfare purpose but for commercial exploitation and illegal trafficking, and that he had credible information that two dogs had already been sold during the period of their unauthorized custody.

Granting relief to the owner, the Court said that the NGO's plea of paucity of time to file detailed status report in the matter was a lame excuse and reflected “casual, negligent and defiant attitude towards the judicial process."

“The conduct of the revisionist/applicant (NGO) clearly demonstrates an intentional and deliberate non-compliance of lawful orders passed by the Ld. Trial Court,” the judge said.

The Court was of the view that the continued retention of the dogs, despite clear judicial directions, amounts to gross misuse of authority and was wholly impermissible in law. 

It added that Courts are duty-bound to ensure that orders are implemented in leter and spirit, especially where the subject matter involves animal welfare and fundamental principles of justice.

Counsel for NGO: Ms. Varisha Sharma, Ms. Samiksha Singh Roha, Ld. Counsel for applicant/ Revisionist

Counsel for State: Sh. S.K. Dubey, APP

Counsel for Owner: Sh. Mayank Sharma and Sh. Shakeel Ahmad