Supreme Court Eases Stray Dog Order, Allows Release After Sterilisation and Vaccination
Supreme Court eases its August 11 order on stray dogs, allowing their release after sterilisation, vaccination, and deworming. Court directs feeding zones, helplines, and a national stray dog policy.
Animal rights activists protest against the Supreme Court’s stray dog order at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on August 21, 2025.
The Supreme Court has modified its earlier directive on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, allowing their release back into localities after sterilisation, deworming, and vaccination.
On August 11, the apex court had ordered that all strays be captured and confined to shelters within six to eight weeks, a move widely criticised by animal rights groups. Calling the earlier order “too harsh,” a Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, along with Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, said the revised directions strike a “balance” between public safety and animal rights.
Key Directives from the Supreme Court:
- Stray dogs must be sterilised, dewormed, and vaccinated before being released into the same area.
- Dogs infected with rabies or displaying aggressive behaviour will not be released; they must remain in shelters.
- Dedicated feeding zones must be established in every ward to avoid feeding on streets.
- People feeding strays outside designated areas will face legal action.
- Civic bodies must set up helplines to report violations.
- Animal lovers may adopt strays but must ensure they do not return to the streets.
NGOs and individual petitioners must deposit ₹2 lakh and ₹25,000, respectively, with the Supreme Court Registry to aid stray dog infrastructure.
Pan-India Policy on Stray Dogs
Importantly, the court has expanded the scope of the case beyond Delhi-NCR, directing the formulation of a national policy for stray dog management. Secretaries of all States and Union Territories will now be made parties to the proceedings. The Supreme Court will also take over similar cases pending in various High Courts to avoid conflicting rulings.
Background
The case was initially heard by a Bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala, which had ordered complete confinement of strays. That order came after Delhi reported over 25,000 dog bite cases in 2024. However, activists warned that Delhi alone has an estimated eight lakh stray dogs, and the city lacked shelters with adequate capacity.
The revised order now seeks to address both public safety concerns and the welfare of animals.
