New Delhi, Aug 22: The Supreme Court on Friday relaxed its earlier sweeping directions on stray dog management in Delhi-NCR, observing that a blanket ban on releasing treated and vaccinated dogs was “too harsh” and impractical.
A three-judge Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria said that sterilised, dewormed, and vaccinated dogs should be released back to their original localities under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. However, the court clarified that dogs infected with rabies, suspected cases, or those showing aggressive behaviour must not be released onto the streets.
The Bench stressed the need to regulate feeding practices. It directed municipal bodies to designate feeding zones in each ward, with proper notice boards, and prohibited feeding on public streets. Violators would face action under the law. Civic bodies must also set up dedicated helplines for complaints, with strict action against individuals or NGOs who obstruct enforcement.
Animal lovers may adopt street dogs through municipal bodies, with responsibility to ensure the dogs do not return to the streets. The court ordered individual petitioners and NGOs in the case to deposit ₹25,000 and ₹2 lakh, respectively, in its Registry within seven days, to be used for creating infrastructure for dog management.
Expanding the case nationwide, the Bench directed all states and Union Territories to submit compliance reports on the ABC Rules, including statistics on dog pounds, veterinarians, personnel, and infrastructure. It also sought details of similar cases pending before various High Courts, which will be transferred to the apex court for uniform adjudication.
The matter will be heard again after eight weeks. The ruling modifies an earlier two-judge Bench order mandating the immediate capture and relocation of all stray dogs, which had drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare groups.
