'Harsh': Shark Tank India 5 pitcher criticises Supreme Court's verdict in stray dogs case
During his pitch, Akshay Mahendru, a co-founder of Nootie, addressed a subject beyond the business: the Supreme Court's recent ruling on stray dogs.
- Jan 14, 2026,
- Updated Jan 14, 2026 12:35 PM IST
The latest episode of Shark Tank India season 5 unfolded with a dramatic standoff between pet food brands Smylo and Nootie. This face-off highlighted their contrasting philosophies and business approaches as they competed for attention and investment from the sharks.
During his pitch, Akshay Mahendru, a co-founder of Nootie, addressed a subject beyond the business: the Supreme Court's recent ruling on stray dogs. He critiqued the court's decision, labelling it "harsh," and advocated for referring to them as "community dogs," recognizing their contribution to local neighbourhoods.
Supreme Court on stray dogs
The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned the Centre and state governments of heavy compensation for every stray dog bite and related deaths. The top court slammed the authorities for "failing miserably" to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules.
The court added that dog feeders must be held liable for attacks, mentioning that the impact of the dog bites is lifelong.
“And also liability to dog feeders. You take them to your house, keep them. Why should they be allowed to roam around, biting, chasing? The effect of a dog bite is lifelong.”
Last week, the top court clarified that it was not calling for the removal of all street dogs but for the strict enforcement of existing rules. It also criticised the "so-called dog lovers," citing an incident involving a lawyer in Gujarat.
“When a lawyer was bitten in Gujarat, and when the municipal corporation people went to capture the dogs, they were thrashed. By lawyers! By these so-called dog lovers,” it observed.
Did Nootie get a deal or not?
Back to Shark Tank, Nootie's commitment to community welfare was further demonstrated through their introduction of a Rs 10 biscuit pack on Swiggy Instamart, aimed at feeding community dogs despite minimal profits. This initiative was praised as "thoughtful" by shark Namita Thapar.
Amidst a pressure-filled environment, Akshay became emotional about Nootie's journey and their presence on the show, sharing his deep personal connection to the experience. Support from Anupam Mittal and Varun Alagh helped him regain composure.
The competition culminated with an investment offer, as Anupam and Namita committed to invest Rs 1 crore for a 4% stake in Nootie, alongside a 1% royalty until their investment was recouped. This deal valued Nootie at Rs 25 crore, marking a resounding endorsement of their business model and community-oriented ethos.
The latest episode of Shark Tank India season 5 unfolded with a dramatic standoff between pet food brands Smylo and Nootie. This face-off highlighted their contrasting philosophies and business approaches as they competed for attention and investment from the sharks.
During his pitch, Akshay Mahendru, a co-founder of Nootie, addressed a subject beyond the business: the Supreme Court's recent ruling on stray dogs. He critiqued the court's decision, labelling it "harsh," and advocated for referring to them as "community dogs," recognizing their contribution to local neighbourhoods.
Supreme Court on stray dogs
The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned the Centre and state governments of heavy compensation for every stray dog bite and related deaths. The top court slammed the authorities for "failing miserably" to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules.
The court added that dog feeders must be held liable for attacks, mentioning that the impact of the dog bites is lifelong.
“And also liability to dog feeders. You take them to your house, keep them. Why should they be allowed to roam around, biting, chasing? The effect of a dog bite is lifelong.”
Last week, the top court clarified that it was not calling for the removal of all street dogs but for the strict enforcement of existing rules. It also criticised the "so-called dog lovers," citing an incident involving a lawyer in Gujarat.
“When a lawyer was bitten in Gujarat, and when the municipal corporation people went to capture the dogs, they were thrashed. By lawyers! By these so-called dog lovers,” it observed.
Did Nootie get a deal or not?
Back to Shark Tank, Nootie's commitment to community welfare was further demonstrated through their introduction of a Rs 10 biscuit pack on Swiggy Instamart, aimed at feeding community dogs despite minimal profits. This initiative was praised as "thoughtful" by shark Namita Thapar.
Amidst a pressure-filled environment, Akshay became emotional about Nootie's journey and their presence on the show, sharing his deep personal connection to the experience. Support from Anupam Mittal and Varun Alagh helped him regain composure.
The competition culminated with an investment offer, as Anupam and Namita committed to invest Rs 1 crore for a 4% stake in Nootie, alongside a 1% royalty until their investment was recouped. This deal valued Nootie at Rs 25 crore, marking a resounding endorsement of their business model and community-oriented ethos.