In the face of controversy, the Supreme Court revisits the stray dog issue today, expanding the bench for discussion.

Animal rights advocates, notable personalities, and political leaders have voiced their concerns about the order, emphasizing that Delhi, along with urban areas like Noida and Gurugram, lack the necessary facilities to manage a major resettlement in such a limited time period.

, and ASMedia

2025 August 31 . 2:19 PM

2 min read

Court to Address Stray Dog Issue with an Enlarged Panel Today Amidst Controversy

In the face of controversy, the Supreme Court revisits the stray dog issue today, expanding the bench for discussion.

The Supreme Court of India made a significant decision on Thursday, August 22, 2025, regarding the relocation of stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region. In a hearing presided over by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria, the court modified its earlier August 11 order.

The initial order, which highlighted alarming data on dog bites and rabies deaths, had demanded the permanent removal and sheltering of all stray dogs without releasing them back to the streets. However, the new order stayed this directive, allowing the release of sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs back to their original localities, except those infected by rabies or showing aggressive behavior.

The hearing reflected a judicial attempt to balance public health and safety concerns with humane treatment and welfare for animals. The court emphasized the need for proper infrastructure, with helplines to report violations and directed NGOs involved in the matter to be paid funds for facility setup.

Key concerns and arguments during the hearing included the need for public safety, animal welfare activists' opposition, judicial balance, the ban on public feeding, implementation and oversight, and the proper implementation of the ABC Rules.

Notable public reactions included protests from animal welfare groups, as well as political commentaries such as from Rahul Gandhi, who welcomed the balanced and scientific approach taken by the court.

The latest Supreme Court stance directs authorities to sterilise, vaccinate, and release stray dogs back to their original locations with improved infrastructure and controlled feeding zones, moving away from mass capture and confinement used earlier. The court also issued a warning for any group or organization obstructing the removal of these animals, threatening strict legal consequences.

The situation was termed "grim" and the need for urgent measures to protect children, women, and the elderly was stressed. However, many believe that removing dogs from their existing territories would lead to new arrivals. The Supreme Court has directed NDMC, MCD, and civic agencies in Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad to make streets free of stray dogs.

The case, titled 'In Re: City hounded by strays, kids pay price', will be heard again by the same Bench. The decision has sparked a nationwide debate on social media, with animal lovers expressing concern for the welfare of stray dogs. The Supreme Court will continue to look into the issue, aiming to find a balance between public safety and animal welfare.

[References] 1. [IANS, 2025] 2. [The Hindu, 2025] 3. [The Times of India, 2025] 4. [The Indian Express, 2025]