SC modifies earlier directive, allows release of stray dogs in original localities after vaccination
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 22, 2025) modified its earlier suo motu directive mandating the confinement of all stray dogs in shelters across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and prohibiting their release.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria clarified that stray dogs may now be released back into their original places of habitation after being dewormed and vaccinated. “The earlier prohibition on release shall remain in abeyance. The dogs, once dewormed and vaccinated, shall be returned to the same area,” the Court ordered.
The Bench further made it clear that canines exhibiting aggressive behaviour or infected with rabies shall not be released into public spaces. Expanding the scope of the proceedings nationwide, the Court also impleaded all States and Union Territories to facilitate the framing of a uniform policy.
In its August 11, 2025, order, Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan had directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other civic authorities to round up all stray dogs within eight weeks and keep them in dedicated shelters, with no re-release onto the streets. The authorities had also been instructed to establish shelters with the capacity to house at least 5,000 strays within eight weeks.
Maneka Gandhi welcomes SC ruling
Animal rights activist and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi as welcomed Friday’s Supreme Court’s ruling that stray dogs in Delhi-NCR should not be rounded up permanently.
She further supported the court’s order to create designated feeding areas and also highlighted that, for the first time in 25 years, the government has allocated Rs 2,500 crore for this program, as stated in Parliament.
Ms. Gandhi said, “I am very happy with this scientific judgment. Relocation and fear are the primary reasons dogs bite. There is no question of releasing dogs infected with Rabies. The court has not defined what an aggressive dog is. This needs to be defined... It is right (in order to create designated feeding areas). They (civic authority) also have to put up signboards for such designated areas...The court has stated that its ruling applies throughout the country...As per the order, the municipal corporations will have to set up proper ABC (Animal Birth Control) centres. For the first time in 25 years, the government stated in Parliament that it is allocating ₹2,500 crores for this program...”
