The Supreme Court on Friday eased its earlier directions on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, permitting their release back into localities after vaccination, deworming and sterilisation, while strictly prohibiting street feeding.
A three-judge Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria modified its August 11 order that had mandated the capture of all stray dogs and barred their return from shelters.
“The prohibition on release of strays shall remain. They shall be dewormed, vaccinated etc., and released back to the same area,” the Bench ruled. However, dogs found to be rabid or displaying aggressive behaviour will not be returned to public spaces.
Street Feeding Banned; Dedicated Zones to Be Created
The Court directed municipal bodies to set up designated feeding zones in every ward, equipped with boards clearly notifying that feeding will only be permitted in these areas. Public feeding of strays on streets has been strictly disallowed, with violators facing penal action.
“Municipal authorities shall forthwith commence an exercise for creating dedicated feeding spaces … Under no conditions shall the feeding of stray dogs on the street be permitted,” the order stated.
Additionally, all municipal bodies must establish a dedicated helpline to allow citizens to report violations.
Costs Imposed on Petitioners
In a move aimed at discouraging frivolous interventions, the Court directed individual dog lovers and NGOs who have approached it to deposit ₹25,000 and ₹2 lakh, respectively, within seven days. Non-compliance will bar them from further participation in the matter.
National Policy in the Making
The Court also expanded the case’s scope beyond Delhi-NCR by impleading all States and Union Territories as parties. It said it would hear the matter in detail to evolve a uniform national policy on stray dog management, and transferred all similar cases pending before various High Courts to itself.
Key Directions at a Glance
- Stray dogs to be released after vaccination, sterilisation, and deworming;
- Rabid or aggressive dogs not to be released;
- No street feeding allowed; feeding only in designated spaces;
- Municipalities to create dedicated helplines;
- Animal rights activists barred from obstructing civic bodies;
- Dog lovers and NGOs to deposit ₹25,000 and ₹2 lakh respectively;
- Adopted dogs cannot be abandoned back on the streets;
- Court to draft a national policy after consulting all States/UTs.
Background
On August 11, a different Bench of the Supreme Court had ordered the immediate capture of stray dogs across Delhi, with shelters to be set up for at least 5,000 animals within eight weeks. That order prohibited re-release of strays and required strict sterilisation, vaccination, and 24/7 helplines to handle complaints.
The order, prompted by rising dog bite cases – over 25,000 reported in Delhi in 2024 and more than 3,000 in January 2025 alone – sparked intense protests from animal rights activists.
Concerns over overlapping stray dog proceedings before different Supreme Court Benches led Chief Justice of India BR Gavai to consolidate the matter before the present Bench, which has now issued fresh directions and reserved its order for a wider policy framework.
Case Details
Case Title: City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price
Case No.: SUO MOTO WRIT PETITION(CIVIL) NO(S). 5 OF 2025
Date: AUGUST 22, 2025
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