Supreme Court’s Big Move: Stray Dog Feeding Shifted to Designated Zones

The Apex court of India, Supreme court modifies August 11 judgement for stray dogs. It allows dogs feeding at designated places only. The dogs are released back from where they were picked after sterilisation. 

Only dogs exhibiting aggressive behaviour and Rabies infected will not be released back. The judgement gave the huge relief to Animal NGOs and Dog lovers all over Delhi-NCR. Apex court issued directives on recent modified Judgement regarding Dog keeping and sterilisation 

The three Judge-bench of Supreme Court justices reviewed the earlier SC Judgement issued on 11 August. The judges included Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria. The case concerned the removal of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR. The court broadened the scope of the issue. It ordered related issues to be sent to the Supreme Court for final judgments.

Also read: Public Safety or Animal Cruelty? Rahul Gandhi Challenges SC’s Stray Dogs Removal Plan

Key Highlights of the Judgment

There were mainly five points that SC highlighted regarding the Recent modified judgement passed by them:  

1.Stray dogs should be vaccinated or immunised and sterilisation of stray dogs should be conducted. The dogs thereafter be released back to the area where they were initially picked from. Only those stray dogs having aggressive behaviour or Rabies dogs should be kept in shelters and not released back.

2.Proper feeding places for the stray dogs should be maintained. These areas should be made by Municipal corporation of Delhi (MCD). 

3.No one must feed stray dogs on streets otherwise the doer will be charged with penalty under relevant legal framework.

4.Proper notice boards must be erected at the designated areas for feeding of stray dogs. They must include a proper warning message. The message should state that feeding of stray dogs is allowed in these areas only.

5.Feeding areas shall be created by civic bodies keeping in view population, concentration of stray dogs in particular municipal ward.

Court’s earlier order

The court had earlier ordered the rounding up of all stray dogs. The aim was to make the streets of Delhi-NCR free of stray dogs. There was a pushback from animal activists and celebrities. In response, the court revisited the issue. It reserved its verdict earlier this week.

“Municipal authorities shall comply with para 12, 12.1 and 12.2, prohibition on release of strays shall be stayed. They shall be dewormed, vaccinated, etc, and sent back to the same area. Those dogs with aggressive behavior or with rabies shall be immunized and not released,” said Justice Nath.

The court also said that public feeding of stray dogs cannot be allowed under any condition. It ordered civic bodies to create dedicated feeding areas in municipal wards. Those violating the order would face legal action, it has warned.

The bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had on August 11 issued an order. They mandated that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be moved to shelters. This action was to be completed within eight weeks. They took note of the rising incidents of dog bites, rabies cases, and even death. 

At least 37 lakh dog bites and 54 suspected rabies deaths were reported in 2024, according to the government.

The court had directed authorities to capture stray dogs from the streets. It also warned against any interference in the rounding-up exercise. The authorities were also asked to make shelters for at least 5,000 dogs.

Petitioner’s move

SC received dozens of petitions from the side of Animal NGO’s and Dog lovers questioning the SC order. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is fighting in favour of Government, highlighted the number of dog bites. The figure is as high as 37 lakhs. He also noted there are around 305 deaths reported annually due to rabies.

Advocates in favour of petitioners questioned the practical implementation of the order. They highlighted the lack of availability of enough animal shelters. This shortage affects the implementation of such a large-scale order. 

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