supreme court: Stray dogs must be sterilised, then released
The court directed civic bodies to establish designated feeding zones for stray dogs, carefully considering both the population density and the concentration of canines in each municipal ward, ensuring balanced management of stray dogs while addressing community concerns and animal welfare.
Delhi Stray Dog Issue: Supreme Court Modifies Earlier Ban, Allows Sterilised Dogs to Return to Localities
A special three-judge bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath, and also comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaraia, said this modified approach was both practical and humane, striking a Importantly, the court clarified that dogs infected with rabies, suspected to be carrying the disease, or those displaying unusually aggressive behaviour would not be relocated. Such dogs will continue to be kept in shelters or under observation.
The bench also directed municipal authorities to take proactive steps to reduce conflict between residents and stray dogs. A key directive was the creation of dedicated feeding zones where citizens could feed stray dogs safely, away from busy streets and crowded public areas. The court noted that feeding areas must be planned scientifically—taking into account the population density of humans as well as the concentration of stray dogs in each municipal ward. By designating these spaces, the court hopes to end the frequent clashes between dog feeders and residents who object to feeding being carried out in open streets or near residential complexes.
“Dedicated spaces must be created by civic bodies. Stray dogs are a part of the city’s ecosystem, but public safety and orderly feeding arrangements are equally important,” the bench remarked.
The issue came before the top court in a suo motu case initiated on July 28 after media reports highlighted a worrying rise in dog bite cases in the capital, several of which tragically led to rabies deaths, particularly among children. These reports sparked widespread fear in Delhi-NCR and reignited the debate on how best to manage the city’s growing stray dog population.
Earlier, on August 11, a two-judge bench had passed sweeping directions, including ordering authorities in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad to immediately pick up stray dogs from all localities and relocate them permanently to dog shelters. While this move was seen by many residents as a relief from the daily fear of bites, animal welfare organisations and activists strongly criticised it, arguing that large-scale relocation was impractical, inhumane, and against the established policy of sterilisation and release.
Friday’s order reflects the Supreme Court’s attempt to balance these competing concerns. By keeping the August 11 order in abeyance, the court has acknowledged the practical difficulties of indefinitely sheltering lakhs of dogs in already overcrowded facilities. At the same time, it has responded to citizens’ fears by insisting on sterilisation, vaccination, and controlled feeding spaces.
The Delhi stray dog issue has been one of the most sensitive urban challenges in recent years. On one hand, thousands of citizens have suffered injuries, trauma, and even deaths due to dog attacks, creating an undeniable public health concern. On the other hand, animal lovers, activists, and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme emphasise that sterilisation and vaccination are the only sustainable and humane long-term solutions.
By posting the matter for hearing after eight weeks, the bench has kept the door open for further refinements. In the meantime, civic authorities will have to shoulder the responsibility of sterilisation drives, public awareness campaigns, and the creation of safe feeding zones. The ruling sends a clear message: stray dogs are not to be treated as enemies but as part of the urban fabric, requiring thoughtful coexistence.
For Delhi, a city that has struggled with the stray dog issue for years, this judgment marks a significant step towards a more balanced approach—one that recognises the rights of both humans and animals, while placing public safety and compassion at the heart of the solution.