On August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued a landmark order mandating the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets within eight weeks, directing civic bodies to relocate them to shelters. Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, responding to rising dog bite incidents, issued the directive. The order requires capturing strays, sterilizing them, and housing them in shelters, explicitly barring their return to streets. It covers Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad. Sparked by a July 28, 2025, suo motu case after media reports of rabies deaths, the ruling aims for immediate action. Civic authorities must build shelters for at least 5,000 dogs, install CCTV, and set up a helpline for bite reports.
The Backstory: A Public Safety Alarm
The ruling stemmed from a surge in dog bite cases—Delhi alone reports 2,000 daily, per DW—with rabies, nearly 100% fatal if untreated, claiming over a third of global deaths in India, per WHO. The Court’s suo motu action followed a news report on child fatalities, prompting Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan to label the stray dog menace “extremely grim.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued sterilization alone doesn’t curb rabies, citing viral videos of children dying. The court rejected sentimental pleas, prioritizing public safety and ordering a “stray-free” Delhi-NCR, with stern warnings against obstruction.
Public and Expert Divide
The order split opinions. Residents like former Union Minister Vijay Goel welcomed it, citing fear-free morning walks. Conversely, animal welfare groups, including FIAPO and PETA India, slammed it as “inhumane” and “unscientific.” FIAPO’s Bharati Ramachandran argued mass sheltering disrupts vaccinated dog populations, risking a “vacuum effect” where unvaccinated strays replace them. PETA’s Dr. Mini Aravindan called Delhi’s estimated 10 lakh strays impossible to house, estimating a ₹15,000 crore cost.
Legal and Ethical Tensions
The order clashes with India’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which mandate returning sterilized, vaccinated dogs to their territories, aligning with WHO’s rabies control strategy. Advocate Niharika Kashyap said that municipalities face a dilemma: obey the court or follow ABC laws, risking contempt or legal violations. Maneka Gandhi questioned the feasibility, asking, “Where are the shelters?” on X. Critics argue mass relocation causes stress, disease, and territorial fights, with 60% of shelters underfunded. Yet, the Court insisted on action, rejecting adoption proposals and prioritizing infants’ safety.
A Path Forward or a Misstep?
With Delhi’s stray population estimated at 1 million, per DW, the order’s logistics loom large. The court demands shelters for 5,000 dogs initially, monitored by CCTV, and a helpline within a week. Business Standard notes global successes—like the Netherlands’ sterilization and adoption model—suggest vaccination and community engagement work better than removal. As #StrayDogOrder sparks 15,000 X posts, the debate rages: will this protect public safety or harm community dogs? The coming weeks, with a status report due in six weeks, will test India’s balance between compassion and pragmatism.
-By Manoj H
