Live Updates: Supreme Court Hearing on Stray Dogs Case
The Supreme Court of India has revised its earlier order regarding the removal of stray dogs in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR). The current directive, issued by a three-judge Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath, now requires that stray dogs captured should be sterilized, vaccinated, and then released back to their original locations, rather than being kept permanently in shelters.
The change comes after widespread public outcry, concerns from animal welfare groups, and practical difficulties highlighted regarding the lack of sufficient shelter infrastructure in Delhi and the NCR region. The previous order, issued on August 11 by a two-judge Bench, demanded the removal of nearly one million stray dogs within eight weeks without allowing their release back onto the streets, which led to protests and multiple interlocutory applications for revision.
In their interim ruling, the three-judge Bench emphasized that a blanket direction to pick up all stray dogs without considering existing infrastructure might be impossible to execute. Therefore, the prohibition on releasing dogs back was stayed, and the Court underlined the need for aggressive sterilisation and vaccination to control the stray dog population sustainably, though they noted such an approach is challenging under current conditions.
The revised stance reflects a balance between public health concerns (due to rabies and dog bites) and animal welfare considerations, while seeking a more feasible implementation method. The Bench is also aware of the infrastructure and practical challenges and highlights sterilisation as the humane and effective long-term solution.
The case was initially heard by a two-judge Bench, but it was escalated to a three-judge Bench after the August 11 order. The new Bench comprises Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria. The August 11 order also mandated the relocation of stray dogs to shelters and a complete prohibition on releasing them back to the streets. It also threatened strict action, including contempt of court, against anyone who creates obstruction.
The Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, has indicated that he will look into the matter after it was mentioned in the Supreme Court. The hearing today includes live updates from the Supreme Court. Access to this article is available by subscription.
In a separate incident, a journalist reported a question about whether animal rights activists would bring back rabies victims, in reference to the Supreme Court's order for the removal of stray dogs in Delhi. The Supreme Court has not issued a stay for now on the pleas challenging the rounding up of stray dogs in Delhi NCR. In addition to the suo motu case, this Bench will hear two other petitions: a fresh petition taking exception to the August 11 order and a pending appeal against a Delhi High Court judgment on the sterilization programme. The Supreme Court has also ordered that food waste on its campus be thrown in covered bins to prevent the presence of stray dogs.
- The new policy and legislation surrounding stray dogs in Delhi and the NCR, guided by the Supreme Court, now champions sterilization, vaccination, and the return of stray dogs to their original locations, acknowledging concerns from the general public, animal welfare groups, and faced with infrastructure difficulties.
- The comprehensive General News discussing the Supreme Court's latest ruling on stray dogs in Delhi and the NCR not only sheds light on the revised strategy for stray dog management but also covers the ongoing court hearings, the journalist's question about human rabies victims, and the Supreme Court's order regarding food waste management.
