Stray dogs to be released after sterilisation: SC modifies 'harsh' order

Only aggressive dogs or those with rabies to be kept in shelters: Court

- ANANTHAKRISHNAN G

TERMING ITS EARLIER order on confining stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to dedicated shelters instead of releasing them as "too harsh", the Supreme Court on Friday directed that these dogs should be returned to the area from where they were picked up after sterilisation, deworming and vaccination, in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.

The court, however, clarified that this relocation shall not apply to dogs infected with rabies or suspected to be infected with rabies, and those that display aggressive behaviour. "Such dogs shall be sterilised and immunised, but under no circumstances should they be released back onto the streets. Furthermore, as far as possible, such stray dogs shall be kept in a separate pound/shelter after sterilisation and immunisation," a three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria said.