Supreme Court Revises Stray Dog Order: A Balanced Approach to Public Safety and Animal Welfare

August 22, 2025

Background: Trigger for Suo Moto Action

The Supreme Court of India took suo moto cognizance of the rising menace of stray dog attacks following a tragic incident reported by The Times of India on July 28, 2025, titled “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price.” A two-judge bench initially directed the immediate capture and permanent sheltering of stray dogs in the National Capital Region (NCR), mandating sterilisation, immunisation, and a strict prohibition on releasing them back onto the streets.

This sparked nationwide concern from animal welfare activists, who argued that the order conflicted with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which mandate that sterilised and vaccinated dogs be released in their original locality.

Revised Supreme Court Directive

On August 22, 2025, a three-judge bench led by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria modified the earlier directive to ensure a balance between public safety and animal welfare.

Key Highlights of the Revised Order:

Sterilisation and Release Policy:
Stray dogs, once sterilised, vaccinated, and dewormed, will be returned to their original localities. However, dogs infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour will be confined in dedicated shelters.
Creation of Feeding Zones:
Municipal bodies are tasked with identifying and creating designated feeding spaces in each ward, banning feeding of stray dogs in public streets. Violators will face penalties.
Helpline for Complaints:
Municipalities must launch a dedicated helpline to report violations or incidents involving stray dogs.
Adoption of Stray Dogs:
Animal lovers can apply to adopt dogs, with a commitment to prevent them from returning to the streets.
Compliance and Accountability:
Municipalities must submit detailed reports on available resources, including shelters, veterinarians, and dog-catching personnel.
Financial Contribution from Petitioners:
Petitioners and NGOs involved in the case are required to deposit funds—₹25,000 per individual and ₹2,00,000 per NGO—to support infrastructure for dog management.
National Scope of Directions:
The Court expanded the case beyond NCR, impleading all States and Union Territories, and directed that similar cases in High Courts be transferred to the Supreme Court for unified consideration.

Balancing Safety and Compassion

The Court acknowledged the urgent need to protect citizens, citing reports of 37 lakh dog bite cases in India in 2024 and multiple rabies-related fatalities. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted that sterilisation alone cannot eliminate immediate risks posed by aggressive dogs. However, the bench emphasised that blanket sheltering of all strays was logistically unfeasible and in violation of the ABC Rules, which scientifically advocate release to original territories.

Future Directions

The Supreme Court’s ruling represents a policy shift towards humane dog population management while prioritising public safety. The Court’s decision to centralise stray dog litigation and impose financial accountability signals a stronger push for effective implementation of the ABC Rules, nationwide sterilisation drives, and better infrastructure planning.