The Supreme Court on Monday directed that all stray dogs of Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) be scored within eight weeks and dedicated dogs to be established by civilians should be kept in shelters, making it clear that no occupied animals would be released back to the streets.
A bench of Justices JB Pardwala and R Mahadevan, hearing a petition registered at the “dangerous and harassing” growth in stray dog attacks, ordered contempt action against any person or organization that tries to obstruct the authorities to disrupt the capture drive. It further directed that officers in Delhi-NCR should install a helpline to register complaints of all dog bite, in which “within four hours” the aggressive animal was raised.
The bench has given Delhi Government, Delihal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Guribs and Guribs, NDHIRIBAD, NDMITIAND, NDMITIAND, NDMISIBAL (Ndmipal (MCD) and Guribs and Guribs, NDMITIOBAD and GRABS, NDMITIOBAD, NDMITS, NDMITS, NDMITS, NDMITS, NDMITIOBAL (NDMICIAL (MCD), “,”
It was not immediately clear how these bodies would go about implementing an order, according to many experts, have been brought by their disqualification in dealing with stray or community dogs. Currently, Delhi has a capacity of 4,000 dogs in shelters, and the population of stray dogs in the center area is approximately one million. And even the court order to create shelters for 5,000 dogs will barely scratch the surface. The MCD will now have to find the place to give these dogs home, and raise funds to feed and take care for them.
The activists criticized the order and said it would be difficult to implement it. He said that he, and others like him had stepped into care of community dogs due to the failure of government agencies, and the order could eventually close community dogs.
Gauri Mouleki, a worker and trustee of the People’s for Animals (PFA) called the decision “unscientific, cruel and dangerous”.
“The court has ignored the animal birth control rules and rejected the input from the interference parties. The Supreme Court is abolishing the coded law without hearing the second party. The order will be challenged. The order will be challenged. The existing shelters are only run by non -governmental organizations and private bodies. The court also did not consider suddenly the consequences of sudden strings.”
The estimates of rabies deaths in India differ widely. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) keeps it in about 5,700 per year. The National Rabies Control Program (which comes under the Ministry of Health) in 20,000, but other sources suggest very low number. According to data provided by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy in Parliament on 1 April, between 2022 and 2025, Delhi did not report any death due to rabies. In 2024, according to the ministry, India recorded only 54 deaths due to rabies; And in 2025 (till April), this number was 1.
To ensure this, all deaths from rabies are not due to dog bites; Monkey bite causes something.
The court also criticized the existing practice under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules, which withdraws the release of fruitless dogs to the same area. The bench commented, “We have noticed some inappropriate and absurd rules that you choose a dog, sterilize them and bring them back to the same place. We fail to understand why you bring them back,” the bench commented.
Actually, the court’s decision goes against the policies established.
The court further remarked: “Forget the rules and face reality. These dogs have to be rounded and whatever means have been occupied immediately. This is that you can make children and senior citizens feel safe.”
The court was listening to the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who welcomed the court intervention, and senior advocate Gaurav Aggarwal, appointed Amicus Curia to assist the bench, who suggested that the ABC rules should be returned to the same area “because” there is no evidence that sterilization stops dog bits or abandoned the rubies. “
When senior advocate Siddharth Luthra demanded an intervention on behalf of Animal Rights activist Gauri Mouleki, the court refused. “All intervention applications are dismissed. In the large interest of the people and in the serious condition of the safety and life of children, senior citizens and all the people, we will not entertain the application of any intervention.”
It insisted that its action was not inspired by public spirit, but immediate security concerns: “Any feeling of any nature should not affect the matter. Should action be taken as soon as possible … Animal rights workers will be able to lose life? The children who have become victims of dog bites? It’s time to act and save them.”
In a detailed order, the bench issued a range of binding directions to officers in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram. “Officers in the Government of Delhi, MCD, NDMC and NOIDA, Ghaziabad and Gurugram have started choosing stray dogs from all areas, especially weak areas, and areas in the outskirts. It is for them, and if they have to create a force, they should do so.
It states that officers are directed to make dog shelters within eight weeks for 5,000 dogs. “These shelters must have personnel to sterilize and immunize animals and” take care of these dogs that will not be released back. “CCTV surveillance will ensure compliance, stressing that no dog should be released back to road or public places.
“We direct the authorities to create a helpline so that all the complaints of the dog bite are registered immediately. The action of taking the dogs should be taken within four hours of the complaint of the dog byte. Any task of obstructing the obstruction will be seen as a contempt of this court. They will not be issued under any circumstances.
It also ordered that the Delhi government will promote the availability and location of authentic rabies vaccines, keeping in mind the concern expressed by Aggarwal about the current shortage.
The bench reiterated that any obstacle or obstruction caused by individuals or organizations would be considered as contempt, warning: “We are doing this in big public interest. Infants and children should not fall prey to dog bites and rabies … The actions should be motivated in the mind of young and old that they can move freely without fear of dog bite.”
After the death of six -year -old Chawi Sharma on July 28, the court’s Suo Motu cognizance was followed, according to some media reports, died of rabies in the Putha Kalan area of Delhi. He was bitten by a dog on 30 June and died on 26 July despite treatment.
On that day, the court called the situation “extremely upset” and “reports the incidents of hundreds of dog bites” in both urban and peripheral areas. The court then directed that the case has been registered as a Suu Motu writ petition, which establishes the platform for Monday’s comprehensive orders.
The matter will be heard again after six weeks for compliance report.
