The Supreme Court of India has charted a new course for the management of stray dogs in the nation’s capital and beyond, issuing a revised order that many have hailed as both humane and practical. After weeks of heated debate and public outcry, the court on August 22, 2025, overturned its earlier directive that would have seen all stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) confined to shelters. Instead, the bench directed that, in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, stray dogs must be sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated, and then released back into the same area from which they were picked up—except for those infected with rabies or displaying aggressive behavior, who will remain in shelters.
The three-judge bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria, acknowledged the logistical and ethical challenges posed by the initial August 11 order, which demanded the blanket removal of all stray dogs from the streets. "A blanket direction to pick up all the strays and place them in dog shelters/pounds without evaluating the existing infrastructure may lead to a Catch-22 situation because such directions may be impossible to comply with," the bench stated, as reported by The Indian Express. The court’s new approach seeks a balance—protecting public safety while adhering to scientific and compassionate animal welfare standards.
The revised order was met with widespread relief and celebration among animal lovers, shelter operators, and activists. At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, caregivers and activists gathered in anticipation of the verdict, breaking into hugs and chants when the pronouncement came. Many described the ruling as a "victory of compassion," according to Hindustan Times. Actor-comedian Vir Das echoed these sentiments, thanking the Supreme Court for “supporting the process of sterilization, vaccination, and a safe return of our community dogs to their neighborhoods.” He also urged municipal authorities to act quickly in creating dedicated feeding areas and to collaborate with trainers and behaviorists for better community integration of stray dogs.
Animal welfare campaigner and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment, calling it “scientific” and “much needed.” She explained to PTI that earlier practices—where dogs were picked up, sterilised, and then relocated to unfamiliar areas—were counterproductive. "Until now, dogs were picked up, sterilised and thrown in another place. There was no benefit to sterilisation because when a dog is left in a strange area after a major operation, it is scared, in pain and does not know who will feed it. That is when it bites," Gandhi noted. She argued that returning sterilised dogs to their territory is the only way to reduce both their numbers and biting incidents: "If you want their numbers to reduce, it will only happen through sterilisation. If you want biting to stop, that will only happen if the dogs are released back in their own place."
The Supreme Court’s order goes beyond the Delhi-NCR region, expanding the case to include all states and union territories. It directed that all related cases pending before various High Courts be transferred to the Supreme Court for a “final national policy or decision” on the issue. Justice Vikram Nath said, “all similar matters shall be transferred to this court for a final national policy.” This move is intended to ensure a unified and effective approach to stray dog management across India.
Public safety concerns were not ignored. The court specifically clarified that dogs infected with rabies or suspected of rabies, as well as those exhibiting aggressive behavior, should not be released back onto the streets. These animals are to be sterilised, immunised, and kept in separate pounds or shelters. The bench acknowledged the alarming rise in dog bite and rabies cases—over 3.7 million bite incidents and 54 suspected rabies deaths recorded in 2024, as highlighted by Bar and Bench—but emphasized that mass relocation was not a sustainable or humane solution.
To address the issue of feeding stray dogs, the court mandated the creation of dedicated feeding areas in every municipal ward, based on the local stray dog population. Feeding dogs on the streets is now prohibited, and those found violating this directive will face legal proceedings. Municipal authorities have been ordered to install notice boards at designated feeding areas and to set up helplines for reporting violations. “Municipal authorities shall forthwith commence an exercise for creating dedicated feeding spaces for the stray dogs in each municipal ward,” the court directed, according to The Indian Express.
Political reactions to the revised order were swift and largely positive. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi called the previous order "inhumane" and "against the humanitarian cause," while welcoming the new emphasis on neutering, immunisation, and feeding areas. Aam Aadmi Party Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for failing to immunise dogs on time, stating, “The MCD has to do its work. The Delhi CM and Mayor, both coming from the BJP, have to work on this... The immunisation of the dogs has not been done by the MCD on time.”
MCD Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh pledged full compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions. “We welcome the Supreme Court’s decision and will implement it 100 per cent. The MCD will work on this order with full strength,” Singh told ANI, adding that the corporation’s 20 Animal Birth Control centres would be central to the effort. He stressed, “We all love dogs, but we also have to ensure the safety of both humans and animals.”
The court also provided a path for animal lovers to adopt street dogs, with the responsibility to ensure that adopted dogs do not return to the streets. Applicants can approach the municipal body for adoption, after which selected dogs will be tagged and handed over. Additionally, individuals and NGOs who had challenged the earlier order were directed to deposit Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakh respectively, with these funds earmarked for infrastructure and facilities for stray dogs.
Municipal authorities have been asked to submit affidavits detailing compliance with the new directives, including statistics on available resources such as dog pounds, veterinarians, dog-catching personnel, and transportation vehicles. The Supreme Court also warned that anyone obstructing officials in the implementation of these directions would face prosecution.
For many, the court’s order marks a turning point in India’s approach to managing its stray dog population—one that seeks to harmonize compassion, scientific evidence, and public safety. As the country moves toward a national policy, the hope is that this balanced model will set a precedent for humane and effective animal welfare practices nationwide.
