Supreme Court Orders Removal of All Stray Dogs from Delhi-NCR: Full Details

The Supreme Court of India has given a historic and extremely contentious order to clear the streets of Delhi-NCR of all stray dogs and shift them to special shelters. The action follows growing reports of dog bites and deaths due to rabies in the area. While the order has been welcomed by some as a public safety measure, it has also invited a storm of criticism from political parties, animal lovers, and NGOs, resulting in demonstrations throughout the national capital.

Rising Stray Dog Menace in Delhi-NCR: Background

According to data from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), between January and June 2025, the national capital reported:

• 49 cases of rabies

• 35,198 animal bite incidents

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that rabies kills nearly 60,000 people annually worldwide, with India accounting for 36% of these deaths. Stray dog attacks, particularly on children and elderly citizens, have been on the rise, prompting calls for immediate intervention.

Supreme Court Orders Removal of All Stray Dogs

On August 11, 2025, a bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan issued a comprehensive order directing civic authorities in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram to:

• Remove all stray dogs — whether sterilised or not — from residential localities.

• Relocate them to permanent shelters equipped with trained professionals for sterilisation, vaccination, and handling.

• Install CCTV cameras in shelters to prevent escapes.

• Set up a 24×7 helpline to report dog bite cases, with the offending dog to be captured within four hours of the complaint.

• Take contempt of court action against anyone obstructing the drive.

The court stressed that “not a single stray dog should be released back onto the streets” once relocated, warning that public safety should be prioritised over sentiments.

Reasoning Behind the SC Order

The Supreme Court acted suo motu after taking note of a news report on the alarming rise in stray dog attacks. The bench stated:

“We cannot sacrifice our children just because of a few dog lovers… We need to make streets absolutely free of stray dogs.”

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that while a site for relocation had been identified earlier, the plan was stalled due to legal challenges from animal rights activists.

Political Reactions on SC Orders on Stray Dogs

Rahul Gandhi’s Response

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the order, calling it “cruel” and “shortsighted”. In a post on X, he wrote:

“The SC’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR is a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy. These voiceless souls are not problems to be erased. Shelters, sterilisation, vaccination, and community care can keep streets safe — without cruelty.”

He emphasised that public safety and animal welfare could go hand in hand without resorting to blanket removals.

Maneka Gandhi’s Stand

BJP leader and noted animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi also opposed the ruling, calling it “a strange judgment” made in anger. She said such “angry judgments are never sensible” and argued that the order was not practically implementable.

Animal Rights Organisations’ Opposition

Several animal welfare groups have called the order illegal under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which prioritise sterilisation and vaccination over removal.

PETA India termed the ruling “impractical and illogical”, with Advocacy Associate Shaurya Agrawal stating:

• Delhi has 10 lakh stray dogs, only half sterilised.

• Housing all in shelters is logistically impossible.

• The order could lead to chaos, suffering, and increased human-dog conflict.

On August 11, animal rights activists protested at India Gate against the ruling. Several protesters were detained by police.

Support for the Ruling

While animal rights activists criticised the decision, several government leaders and citizens have welcomed it.

• Delhi CM Rekha Gupta: Called the stray dog menace “gigantic” and promised a planned, systematic policy to implement the order.

• Delhi Mayor Iqbal Singh said the civic body has 10 operational sterilisation centres and would build both temporary and permanent shelters.

Many residents, particularly parents and senior citizens, see the order as a relief from growing safety concerns.

Legal and Policy Context

The controversy partly stems from the clash between:

• Supreme Court’s directive prioritising immediate removal for public safety.

• Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which recommend sterilisation and vaccination while allowing stray dogs to remain in their territories.

Legal experts suggest the SC order could set a national precedent, potentially overriding municipal ABC programs in high-risk areas. However, animal rights lawyers may challenge it on the grounds of statutory violations and animal welfare laws.

Public Opinion: A Divided View

The issue has polarised public opinion:

• Supporters argue that human lives — especially children — must be prioritised over animal rights in high-risk zones.

• Opponents claim that removing territorial dogs could increase aggressive behaviour among relocated dogs, worsen rodent problems, and lead to unethical treatment in overcrowded shelters.

Implementation Challenges

• Shelter Capacity – Delhi-NCR currently lacks enough permanent shelters to house lakhs of dogs.

• Funding & Staffing – Hiring trained personnel and maintaining shelters will require significant budgetary allocations.

• Legal Hurdles – Potential court challenges from animal rights groups could delay or block implementation.

• Vaccination & Sterilisation Gaps – Only about 50% of Delhi’s stray dogs are sterilised; vaccination coverage is also incomplete.

Possible Way Forward

Experts suggest a balanced approach that could reconcile public safety with animal welfare:

• Expanding sterilisation and vaccination drives alongside the relocation of aggressive dogs.

• Building adequate shelter infrastructure before mass removal.

• Launching public awareness campaigns on safe human–dog interactions.

• Strengthening rabies vaccine availability and bite treatment facilities.

The Supreme Court’s direction to evacuate all street dogs from Delhi-NCR is a drastic step in an intensifying problem of public safety. But it also invites a rewrite of decades of humane, science-informed animal birth control policy in India. With political luminaries such as Rahul Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi making negative noises, and animal welfare groups organising protests, the implementation journey is sure to be contentious.

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