Supreme Court Revises Stray Dog Policy Delhi, India

The Supreme Court of India has reversed its August 11 order mandating the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR, deciding instead that non-aggressive, non-rabid dogs must be sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to their original locations. This revised ruling, applied nationwide, emphasizes the creation of designated feeding areas in each ward and calls for improved infrastructure for dog shelters, addressing concerns over public safety and animal welfare. Animal rights activists, who had vehemently protested the original order as draconian and unfeasible, welcomed the judgment as a more compassionate and balanced approach. The Court recognized that the initial directive was too harsh and impractical due to insufficient shelter facilities, and it extended the scope of the order to all states and union territories, mandating compliance with the Animal Birth Control Rules. Public feeding of stray dogs was banned, with authorities instructed to establish controlled feeding zones, while aggressive or rabid dogs remain subject to relocation. The ruling has been praised by organizations like PETA India and has drawn support from politicians and citizens advocating for humane treatment of street animals.