Immediate Action Against Stray Dogs in Delhi-NCR

Source : Indian Express 

Introduction 

The Supreme Court of India has taken a strong stance against the growing menace of stray dog attacks, particularly those affecting children. In a landmark decision on August 11, 2025, the Court issued strict directions to authorities in Delhi and surrounding areas to immediately begin picking up stray dogs from all localities. This decision marks a significant shift in India's approach to managing the country's massive stray dog population, which has been linked to increasing cases of dog bites and rabies deaths. 

Why Did the Supreme Court Take Suo Motu Action? 

• The Supreme Court took suo motu (on its own initiative) action after coming across disturbing news reports about stray dogs attacking children.  
• Justice J.B. Pardiwala, heading a bench with Justice R. Mahadevan, expressed serious concerns about the safety of infants and young children who were falling prey to rabies through dog bites. 
• The Court was particularly troubled by the rising statistics: over 37 lakh cases of dog bites were reported in India in 2024, up from 30.5 lakh in 2023. More alarmingly, 54 people died from rabies in 2024, with children under 15 years accounting for 30-60% of all rabies cases and deaths in India. 

What Did the Court Observe About Current Policies? 

• Justice Pardiwala strongly criticized the existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, calling them "absurd and unreasonable." The current policy requires that after sterilization and immunization, stray dogs must be released back to the same locality from where they were captured. 
• "If you pick up a stray dog from one part, you sterilise the dog and put him at the same place, that's absolutely absurd," Justice Pardiwala remarked. "Why should that stray dog come back to the locality and for what?" 
• The Court emphasized that whether sterilized or not, society should be completely free from stray dogs, stating that "you should not find a single stray dog moving around in any locality of the city or in the outskirts." 

What are the Court's Specific Directions? 

Authorities Create Dog Shelters 

• The Court directed the State of NCT Delhi, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to immediately establish dog shelters and report on infrastructure creation within 8 weeks. These shelters must: 
  • House sufficient personnel for both sterilized and non-sterilized stray dogs 
  • Ensure detained dogs are never released back into streets, colonies, or public places 
  • Be monitored by CCTV cameras to prevent unauthorized release of dogs 
  • Initially accommodate 5,000 dogs within the next 6-8 weeks, with capacity to be expanded progressively 

What is the Immediate Action Plan for Dog Removal? 

The authorities have been ordered to start picking up stray dogs from all localities immediately, with particular focus on: 

• Vulnerable localities within the city 
• Areas on the outskirts of Delhi 
• Extension of operations to Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad 

The Court granted authorities complete discretion in creating dedicated forces for this purpose, emphasizing that there should be "no compromise in undertaking this exercise." 

How Will Interference Be Handled? 

• The Court issued stern warnings against any obstruction: "If any individual or organisation comes in the way of picking up stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action." Such interference will be treated as contempt of court, with legal consequences following. 
• When Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra attempted to speak for People for Animals, Justice Pardiwala firmly rejected the intervention, stating that no sentiment should be involved in this litigation given the larger public interest. 

What About Emergency Response and Medical Care? 

• The Court mandated creation of: 
  • A helpline within one week for reporting dog bite cases 
  • Immediate action to capture the offending dog within 4 hours of complaint 
  • Coordination with medical facilities to ensure immediate treatment for victims 
  • Detailed reporting on vaccine availability and stock levels 
• All captured dogs must be sterilized and immunized as per rules but will not be released under any circumstances. 
• Authorities are required to: 
  • Maintain daily records of stray dogs captured and housed 
  • Present these records at the next hearing 
  • Provide detailed information about vaccine availability and distribution 
  • Report on any individuals or organizations attempting to obstruct the process 

What is the Current Legal Framework? 

Directions Contrast with Existing Laws 

• India's stray dog management has historically been governed by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and subsequent ABC Rules. The 2023 ABC Rules even reclassified stray dogs as "community animals" and included provisions for community feeding. 
• However, various High Courts have given conflicting judgments. While the Kerala High Court ruled that authorities "cannot kill stray dogs," the Bombay, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka High Courts have held that local authorities have discretionary powers under municipal regulations to address stray dog issues. 
• The Supreme Court's current directions represent a decisive break from the catch-neuter-release policy that has been followed for decades. 

Conclusion 

The Supreme Court's intervention represents a paradigm shift in India's approach to stray dog management, prioritizing human safety, particularly that of children, over traditional animal welfare considerations. The Court has made it clear that "infants and young children, not at any cost, should fall prey to rabies" and that citizens should be able to move freely without fear of dog bites. With India accounting for 36% of global rabies deaths and having an estimated 1.53 crore stray dogs, this judicial intervention could mark a turning point in addressing one of the country's most persistent public health challenges. The success of this initiative will depend on effective implementation and the authorities' ability to create adequate infrastructure while managing the complex emotions surrounding animal welfare in Indian society.