Supreme Court Suspends Rule on Stray Dog Return

The Supreme Court has ordered all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to be captured, sterilized, and permanently relocated to shelters within eight weeks, following a rise in dog bite incidents and rabies deaths among vulnerable populations. Authorities must establish helplines for prompt response and cannot release stray dogs back onto the streets once removed. The court has suspended the Animal Birth Control rule that previously required sterilized dogs to be returned to their original locations. Individuals or organizations obstructing the process face contempt of court. Municipal bodies must coordinate shelter construction and provide progress updates. The decision comes after previous relocation efforts were stalled by legal challenges from animal rights activists, with the court now prioritizing public safety.