In a sweeping directive aimed at curbing the rising menace of stray dog attacks, the Supreme Court today ordered that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be shifted away from residential localities to dedicated shelters. The top court warned that any organisation obstructing the exercise would face the “strictest action.”
The bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan issued the order while hearing a matter prompted by a news report on the increasing number of rabies-related deaths following stray dog attacks. “We are not doing this for us, it is for the public interest. So, no sentiments of any nature should be involved. Action should be taken at the earliest,” Justice Pardiwala said.
The court made it clear that it would hear arguments only from the Centre, shutting out petitions from dog lovers or other groups. “Pick up dogs from all localities and shift them to shelters. For the time being, forget the rules,” the judge told amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwala.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that a site in Delhi had been identified for relocating stray dogs, but the plan was stalled after animal rights activists obtained a stay order. Reacting sharply, the bench remarked, “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 court also rejected proposals for adoption of strays, citing concerns that dogs could be released back on the streets. “No one will be allowed to adopt a stray dog,” the bench clarified.
Civic authorities in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram have been directed to immediately construct shelters equipped with professionals to handle dogs, conduct sterilisation, and provide immunisation. The shelters must be escape-proof, with CCTV surveillance, and no dog once removed should be released.
The court instructed authorities to start a helpline for reporting dog bites and to round up all stray dogs, sterilised or unsterilise, from all neighbourhoods, prioritising vulnerable areas. “However, what is important, and without which the entire exercise would go futile, not a single stray dog should be released and if we know that this has happened, we will take stern action,” the bench warned.
The order also highlighted a shortage of rabies vaccines, directing the Delhi government to publicise details on vaccine availability, stock levels, and the number of patients treated monthly.
According to Municipal Corporation of Delhi data, 49 rabies cases and 35,198 animal bite incidents were recorded in the capital between January and June this year. Rabies, which is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, kills around 60,000 people globally each year – India accounts for 36% of these deaths, according to the WHO.
Solicitor General Mehta summed up the court’s stance: “We cannot sacrifice our children just because of a few dog lovers.”
(With inputs from NDTV)
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