New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday modified its earlier directive on stray dogs, allowing their release after sterilisation and vaccination while tightening restrictions on public feeding. A three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria stayed the August 11 order of the Pardiwala-led bench, which had barred the release of captured strays. The court clarified that sterilised and immunised dogs must be released back into the same locality, but those suffering from rabies or displaying aggressive behaviour would not be freed.
The court further ruled that stray dogs cannot be fed on public roads, warning that those who violate the order will face legal action. Instead, municipal bodies have been directed to create designated feeding areas within wards, taking into account the population and concentration of stray dogs. Notice boards will also be placed at these locations to make clear that feeding is permitted only in such zones.
In addition, the bench reiterated that no individual or organisation should obstruct sterilisation and vaccination drives by municipal authorities. It directed dog lovers and NGOs to deposit security amounts of ₹25,000 for individuals and ₹2 lakh for organisations with the court registrar.
The issue comes against the backdrop of a rise in dog bite incidents and rabies-related deaths. Government figures show that in 2024 alone, there were at least 37 lakh cases of dog bites and 54 suspected rabies fatalities. The earlier order had mandated that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be captured and housed in shelters, but this faced strong resistance from animal rights activists and celebrities. With the new ruling, the Supreme Court has also transferred all similar matters pending in other courts to itself, paving the way for a final national policy on stray dog management.
