The Supreme Court on Monday issued strong directions to the Delhi civic body to round up stray dogs, sterilise them, and move them permanently to shelters, noting that the order should be enforced strictly
to make the capital safe.
The court said that there should be no compromise on the drive and warned that if any individual or organisation comes in the way of the forces picking up stray dogs, strict action will be taken against them.
“It is for the authorities to look into how this will be done; if they have to create a force, they shall have to do it,” the bench observed, calling the move “the first and foremost exercise to ensure that the capital city is free of stray dogs.”
Expressing concern over public safety, especially of children, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said, “Infants and young children should not, at any cost, fall prey to such stray dogs. Actions should inspire confidence among people.”
It also ordered Delhi authorities to set up dog shelters equipped with adequate staff and CCTV surveillance within eight weeks, making it clear that sterilised dogs are not to be released back onto the streets.
It directed that the process of capturing 5,000 stray dogs—beginning with high-risk areas—must start within six weeks, with strict action against anyone obstructing the effort.
Officials in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram have also been instructed to maintain a daily log of all captured dogs and warned that any breach of the rule prohibiting their release will invite stern consequences.
SC On Animal Rights Activists
When Justice Pardiwala asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for his views, Mehta informed the court that a location in Delhi had been earmarked for relocating stray dogs. However, the plan was halted after animal rights activists secured a stay order.
“All these animal activists — will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies? We need to make streets absolutely free of stray dogs,” the bench remarked, further stating that it would not permit the adoption of stray dogs.
The top court directed the NDMC and MCD to establish a dedicated helpline for dog bite complaints, ensuring that residents can immediately report incidents to the municipal authorities.
Noting the need for prompt medical response, the court said that an adequate stock of rabies vaccines must be maintained at government hospitals. “Private hospitals cannot administer rabies shots — this has to be done in government facilities,” the court stated.
The directive follows the top court’s decision last month to take up the matter on its own (suo motu) in response to the rising incidents of stray dog attacks and related deaths, calling the situation “alarming and disturbing.”
The bench, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, acted after a report detailed the death of a six-year-old Delhi girl from rabies, caused by a dog bite.
