Paws & Laws: Supreme Court Deals with Dog Dilemma

On August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court passed a sweeping order directing the Delhi authorities to take urgent measures on the stray dog issue. The Court instructed that stray dogs be rounded up, with priority given to sensitive areas, and shelters with a capacity of 5,000 be set up within eight weeks. It also made sterilization, vaccination, and proper medical care for all captured dogs compulsory. Additionally, the Court ordered the creation of a dog-bite helpline to respond within four hours and required monthly publication of rabies data. This order marked a strong judicial step, reflecting the seriousness of the situation at the level of both public health and animal welfare. The Court observed that the menace of dog bites (25,000+ cases in 2024) violates Articles 19(1)(d) and 21. It also warned that obstruction, even by activists, would amount to contempt.
Following protests and overlapping proceedings, CJI B.R. Gavai referred the matter to a three-judge Bench, which has now modified the earlier order. The Bench clarified that the prohibition on the release of strays shall be stayed. Dogs are to be dewormed, vaccinated, and returned to the same area, except for those showing aggressive behaviour or suffering from rabies, who shall not be released into public spaces. Feeding of dogs on the streets has also been prohibited, and may only be carried out in designated feeding zones, with municipal authorities required to set up helplines for reporting violations. Additionally, individuals and NGOs that approached the Court have been directed to deposit ₹25,000 and ₹2 lakh, respectively. It was further clarified that adopted dogs cannot be released back, and that a national policy on stray dogs will be framed after hearing all States.
While this modified order may seem to bring joy to dog lovers and animal rights activists, it raises several questions. Is it truly a solution to leave dogs back in public spaces? Why has the rising population of stray dogs not been addressed as a serious issue? Why has there never been a clear policy concerning the plight of these domestic animals abandoned in our streets? Is the focus solely on the safety of humans, or should the welfare of the dogs themselves also be given equal importance? Moreover, this concern is not limited to dogs alone, other domestic animals such as cows continue to face the same plight.
How does sterilising, vaccinating, and deworming dogs, only to release them back into the same environment, address their safety? This question has been ignored for far too long. What happens to these animals who lack food, shelter, and protection, especially during natural disasters, pandemics, or epidemics, when even humans are vulnerable? Who is responsible for their survival then?
One of the major problems that has been neglected is the impact of noise pollution on dogs. Studies show that sudden, loud noises are one of the most common triggers for fear and stress in dogs, and many companion animals suffer from noise sensitivity even in safe homes. For stray dogs, the situation is far worse. They are exposed daily to the relentless sounds of traffic, honking, firecrackers, loudspeakers, and construction, with no shelter or comfort. Unlike pets, who may find relief in the presence of their owners, strays endure these stressors alone. This not only adds to their suffering but can also make them more unpredictable and aggressive. This highlights that the issue is not only about human safety, but equally about the wellbeing of the animals themselves.
Another tragic reality that is often overlooked is the number of accidents involving stray animals. Thousands of dogs die every year in road accidents, and reports show that a significant percentage of accidents occur because of stray animals, putting both humans and animals at risk.
While the Court’s directive for a national policy on stray dogs is a welcome step, it is not enough. Establishing animal shelters that provide a safe and animal-friendly environment is essential, and municipalities must take responsibility for ensuring this.
The issue is not merely about safeguarding humans from stray dogs, but also about safeguarding stray dogs and other animals from the dangers of human neglect. As humans, and as fellow living beings, we carry a moral obligation towards them.