Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Delhi-NCR Streets

In a landmark decision on August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be removed from streets and shifted to permanent shelters within 6–8 weeks

Admin Aug 13, 2025 33 0

Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Delhi-NCR Streets

In a landmark decision on August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be removed from streets and shifted to permanent shelters within 6–8 weeks. The ruling comes amid a sharp rise in dog bite cases, with over 4.3 lakh incidents reported in January 2025 alone, many involving children.

Key Highlights of the Order

Immediate action: Capture at least 5,000 dogs from high-risk zones first.
Permanent sheltering: No release back to the streets; facilities must have CCTV, trained staff, sterilization, and vaccination units.
Public safety: Emergency helpline for bites and rabies cases with a 4-hour response time.
Strict compliance: Obstruction could lead to contempt of court.

Support & Opposition

Families of victims welcomed the move, citing safety concerns and urging opponents to adopt strays if they object.
Animal rights groups and experts slammed the order, calling it unconstitutional and against the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which mandate sterilization and release, not permanent removal. They warn of overcrowded, unhygienic shelters and a financial burden exceeding ₹15,000 crore.
Celebrities like Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan termed the order a “death warrant” for street dogs, urging humane solutions.

The Debate

The decision has sparked a fierce public debate between public safety and animal welfare. While supporters see it as necessary to curb bites and rabies, critics argue it undermines scientific, humane policies and could worsen the problem in the long run.