The Supreme Court has said its decision to clear Delhi-NCR streets of stray dogs is the product of “careful deliberation” after two decades of failed attempts by civic bodies, insisting the exercise serves both public safety and animal welfare.
In a detailed order released, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan emphasised that its directive of August 11, to ensure all localities in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad are free of stray dogs, was neither a “momentary impulse” nor swayed by “prevailing popular sentiments”, but rooted in the “enduring principles of justice, conscience and equity”.
“The directions… are both in the interest of humans as well as dogs. This is not personal,” the bench said, adding that the judiciary’s role is not to echo “passions of the moment” but to uphold law and welfare.
The court pointed to data from the Press Information Bureau showing 37,15,713 reported dog bites in India in 2024, including 25,201 in Delhi. It said the risk was particularly acute for vulnerable groups such as the visually impaired, children, elderly persons, the homeless and those unable to afford medical care.
The order noted the inability to identify rabies-carrying dogs, and cited cases of guide canes being perceived as threats by dogs, leading to attacks on visually impaired persons. “Streets should not prove to be vulnerable places,” it observed.
Also read: CJI Gavai to review conflicting SC orders on stray dogs
While acknowledging public affection for stray dogs, the bench urged animal lovers to “become a part of this exercise”. It called for a “dedicated force” to capture strays, with shelters to be set up across NCR within eight weeks to initially house 5,000 dogs, with adequate food, medical facilities, CCTV monitoring and humane care. Overcrowding must be avoided, and adoption permitted only under the Animal Welfare Board’s 2022 protocol, with no re-release to streets.
The court also banned the return of captured dogs to public spaces, ordering sterilisation, immunisation and de-worming for all strays taken in. It directed that no mistreatment or cruelty be tolerated.
The suo motu proceedings were initiated following media reports on rising stray dog attacks and rabies deaths. The matter will now be heard on Wednesday by a three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria.
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