Supreme Court Modifies Stray Dog Order, Paving Way for National Policy
The Supreme Court modified a controversial order, ruling that stray dogs in Delhi-NCR can be released back into their original localities after sterilization and vaccination, staying a previous directive for their permanent relocation to shelters. However, the court disallowed public feeding, mandating dedicated feeding spaces instead. Crucially, it transferred all related cases from various high courts to itself, signaling its intent to formulate a comprehensive national policy on the contentious stray dog issue affecting cities nationwide.
Unpacked:
The Supreme Court reversed its earlier order due to concerns about the sheer scale and feasibility of relocating up to a million stray dogs in Delhi, as well as pushback from animal rights activists who argued for humane management through sterilization and vaccination rather than mass sheltering or culling.
Delhi alone is estimated to have around 1 million stray dogs, with only about half sterilized. Dog bite cases are a major issue—over 25,000 were reported in 2024, with thousands more in surrounding cities. Rabies remains a concern, although no human deaths were reported in Delhi in 2024.
Animal rights activists support sterilization and vaccination, seeing stray dogs as part of the community and opposing mass sheltering or culling. Advocates for stricter controls cite rising attacks, particularly on vulnerable groups, and push for removal or confinement to protect public safety. The debate centers on humane treatment versus public health and safety.
By consolidating cases, the Supreme Court aims to create a unified national policy for managing stray dogs, likely focusing on standardized sterilization, vaccination, and feeding regulations across cities. This could replace the current patchwork of local rules and address both humane treatment and public health concerns nationwide.