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The Supreme Court of India has modified its earlier directions on the management of stray dogs in the National Capital Region (NCR), balancing the safety of citizens with compliance under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules). Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria held that sterilised and vaccinated dogs have to be released, while rabid or aggressive ones must remain in shelters.
The matter arose from a suo motu petition, In Re: “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price” (2025 INSC 1018), following the death of a six-year-old girl in Delhi due to rabies after a dog attack.
Background
On August 11, 2025, a two-judge Bench had directed that all stray dogs be captured, sterilised, immunised, and permanently kept in shelters, prohibiting their release back onto the streets. Several NGOs and individuals challenged the order, citing violation of Rule 11(19) of the ABC Rules, which mandates the release of vaccinated and sterilised dogs to the same locality from where they were picked up
Concerns were also raised that the lack of infrastructure may lead to illegal culling of dogs, while citizens’ safety, particularly of children and the elderly, remained a pressing issue.
Key Directions of the Supreme Court (August 22, 2025)
1) Release After Vaccination & Sterilisation:
- Stray dogs, once sterilised, dewormed, and vaccinated, shall be released back into the same area they were picked up from, in line with ABC Rules.
- Exception: Dogs infected with rabies or showing aggressive behaviour must not be released and should instead be kept in separate municipal shelters.
2) Feeding Restrictions:
- Feeding stray dogs on streets and public spaces has been prohibited.
- Municipal bodies are directed to establish designated feeding zones in each ward, with boards notifying these areas.
- Individuals feeding dogs on streets will face legal action
3) Municipal Responsibilities:
- Authorities must set up shelters, create helplines to report violations, and file compliance affidavits detailing infrastructure, veterinarians, and dog-catching resources.
4) NGO & Individual Accountability:
- Each NGO involved must deposit ₹2,00,000 and each individual petitioner ₹25,000, to be used for stray dog infrastructure.
- Animal lovers may apply to adopt street dogs, ensuring they do not return to the streets.
5) National Scope:
- The Court expanded the case to all States and Union Territories, directing impleadment of Animal Husbandry and local body authorities across India.
- Similar matters pending before High Courts will be transferred to the Supreme Court for uniform adjudication
Significance
This order strikes a balance between public safety (Article 21 right to life) and animal welfare under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. While ensuring that rabid and aggressive dogs are not released back into society, the Court has reinforced scientific sterilisation and vaccination as the lawful means to regulate stray populations.
The restriction on feeding stray dogs in public spaces is expected to reduce the unregulated congregation of animals on streets, addressing rising concerns of safety and hygiene.
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