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