Delhi Stands Against Animal Cruelty! Govt To Constitute Animal Welfare Committees

The Delhi Government is reshaping how animal cruelty cases are handled by creating new district-level bodies and shutting the existing Delhi Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Officials said the changes are meant to reduce overlap between agencies and make responses to complaints quicker.

Under the plan, all 11 revenue districts in Delhi will get dedicated animal welfare committees registered as Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. These SPCAs will be set up according to the latest district reorganisation and are intended to prevent cruelty against animals more effectively.

Roles and powers of animal welfare committees

Each animal welfare committee will be led by the district magistrate. Officials expect this arrangement to speed up case handling, improve on-ground checks, and support better coordination between different departments and animal welfare groups. Complaints of cruelty should therefore move faster through the system.

Legal framework and oversight of animal welfare committees

The new animal welfare committees will operate under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Membership will include experts and representatives linked with animal welfare organisations. At the state level, the Animal Welfare Board will act as the apex authority and supervise how district SPCAs function.

The Animal Welfare Board will also track implementation of rules and provide both technical and financial assistance to strengthen district work. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative shows the government's commitment to stronger animal protection. Rekha Gupta added that safeguarding animals reflects a sensitive, responsible society and that decentralised powers should help laws work better.