PETA India has written to Galgotias University, urging it to donate its robotic dog ‘Orion’ to help replace real dogs used in circuses and facilitate their rehabilitation.
In a letter dated February 26 to university Chancellor Suneel Galgotia, PETA India’s vice president of policy, Khushboo Gupta, proposed that the robotic dog be handed over to a circus through the NGO so that live animals could be freed from performances.
“PETA India requests that Galgotias University consider donating Orion to a circus via PETA India so that it may be used to replace real dogs used in shows who we can then rehome to loving families or in a sanctuary,” Gupta wrote.
The letter further said the move would spotlight how technology can be used to prevent animal suffering.
“The donation of Orion would show that Galgotias University is committed to animal welfare and using technology for good. Your students could even play a direct role by training circus performers to use the technology and by supporting their smooth transition to humane, tech-driven alternatives,” it added.
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The robotic dog was recently displayed at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where the university courted controversy after allegedly attempting to pass off the Chinese-made robot as its own innovation. The institution was subsequently asked to vacate the event premises and remove its stall.
In a statement, PETA India alleged that several species, including dogs, horses, camels, goats and birds, continue to be used in circuses and subjected to stressful conditions such as constant travel, confinement and violence.
“As our country advances towards its vision of becoming a global technology leader, there is an opportunity to use technology to uplift animals' lives while securing livelihoods,” the organisation said.
It claimed that circuses such as Rambo and Gemini have already introduced mechanical animals to attract audiences, and argued that a robotic dog could encourage wider adoption of technology-driven alternatives.
The NGO also stated that more than 1,93,930 individuals, including schoolchildren, celebrities and over 100 veterinarians, have appealed for an end to the use of animals in circuses.
PETA India said it has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on the use of animals in circuses through notification of the draft Performing Animals (Registration) (Amendment) Rules, 2018.
There was no immediate response from Galgotias University on the letter.
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