India’s Supreme Court on Friday directed that stray dogs picked up in Delhi and its suburbs be released after sterilisation and vaccination, softening an earlier order that required all strays to be moved to shelters.
The ruling came after animal welfare groups challenged the court’s decision earlier this month, which followed a reported rise in rabies cases, particularly among children. Critics argued that relocating dogs en masse was impractical due to a lack of shelters, infrastructure and medical facilities, sparking protests by animal lovers across the capital.
A three-judge bench said only dogs showing aggressive behaviour or symptoms of rabies should remain confined, while the rest must be returned to their original locations after sterilisation and immunisation.
The court also expanded the scope of the case, announcing plans to frame a nationwide policy on managing stray dogs.
India is home to an estimated 52.5 million stray dogs, including around one million in Delhi alone, according to a survey by Mars Petcare. Official figures show nearly 430,000 dog-bite cases were reported nationwide in January 2024, out of 3.7 million cases recorded across the year.
To address public concerns, the court also ordered authorities to create designated zones for feeding stray dogs, seeking to balance public safety with animal welfare.
The move marks a significant shift in India’s legal approach to the country’s vast stray dog population, with the top court positioning itself to set a uniform national framework in the coming weeks.
Written By Rodney Mbua
