New Delhi|Aug, 22 : The Supreme Court has revised its controversial August 8 order regarding stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, allowing for their release back to the same areas after they have been vaccinated and dewormed. The decision was celebrated by animal advocates, although it stipulates that dogs exhibiting rabies or aggressive behavior must be immunized and housed in separate shelters.
In its revised order the top court emphasized that the prohibition on the release of strays is lifted, and it plans to develop a national policy on the matter after further hearings. A three-judge bench, led by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, made several modifications to the previous order, which had mandated the capture and sheltering of all stray dogs within eight weeks. This reassignment of the case to the three-judge bench followed significant public backlash against the earlier ruling.
The court has also prohibited public feeding of stray dogs, mandating the creation of designated feeding areas and warning that violators will face consequences. Animal lovers are permitted to apply for dog adoptions, but they must ensure that the animals are not returned to the streets. Additionally, individual petitioners and NGOs involved in the case are required to deposit fees of Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakh, respectively.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes in response to rising concerns over dog bites and rabies, with government statistics indicating 25,000 dog bite incidents reported in Delhi in 2024 alone. The initial order had drawn criticism from animal rights activists and NGOs, who argued that the proposed sheltering of an estimated 800,000 stray dogs would lead to logistical challenges and potential cruelty. They contended that the August 8 ruling contradicted the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which stipulate that sterilized and vaccinated strays should not be permanently relocated.
