Supreme Court Order on Stray Dogs Sparks Delhi NCR Debate

The Supreme Court has issued a solid injunction that all STRAY DOGS in the Delhi NCR be taken out from residential localities into animal shelters. This Supreme Court injunction related to stray dogs applies to Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad, and the Supreme Court was firm that once removed, these street dogs should never be returned to the streets.

While the decision pertains to addressing dog attacks and improving public safety, and not intended to impact stray dog populations; the ruling has drawn a variety of responses from the public. For example, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) queued to welcome this decision as a mechanism for a decrease in the level of dog attacks, and eventually the number of rabies cases that would have gone to residents.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists worry because there is not enough land, money, or human resources for civic bodies to care for and manage the thousands of stray dogs in Delhi. Moreover, animal rights activists worry that the order would hurt the strays and exacerbate human-dog conflict.

Voices from Both Sides

Social media has been abuzz since the Supreme Court issued its recent order on stray dogs. Proponents argue that anyone really concerned for dogs in Delhi needs to adopt, vaccinate, and home dogs; they should not leave them on the street. They also feel that public safety, especially for children, must be priority number one.

Conversely, many residents and animal rights groups are calling the order “cruel” and “dangerous.” They argue that it is a violation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, among other animal rights laws. Some are calling this a “death sentence” for thousands of stray dogs, and insist that the government should focus on

What Happens Next

The court has directed the construction of shelters that can house at least 5,000 dogs in six to eight weeks across Delhi NCR. The shelter design must include not only trained staff responsible for sterilization and vaccination and monitored by CCTV, but the design should also involve the ability to expand.

The authorities will set up a special helpline for reporting dog bite cases. They will be able to set up special teams along the lines of special police teams and anyone obstructing that direction may face contempt charges as well.

For now, the Supreme Court order on stray dogs has left the city considerably fractured where some feel safety with fewer stray dogs on the streets, and others feel doomed for the future of Delhi’s street animals.