Previous Direction "Too Harsh": SC modifies stray dog order, allows release after sterilisation & vaccination

SC expands scope to all states, UTs, adds them as parties; Transfers stray dog cases from HCs to itself

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday revised its earlier order on the handling of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, permitting their release after sterilisation, vaccination, and de-worming, instead of keeping them permanently in shelters.

A three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, along with Justices Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria, observed that the blanket prohibition on releasing treated animals, contained in the August 11 directive, was impractical. "The direction given in the order dated August 11, 2025, prohibiting the release of the treated and vaccinated dogs seems to be too harsh," the bench said.

While passing the order, the bench also broadened the case beyond Delhi-NCR, directing that all states and union territories be made parties to the matter. The court said pending cases on stray dogs in different high courts would now be transferred to the Supreme Court.

"All such matters pending in the high courts shall come before this court for a final national policy or decision," the bench remarked, indicating its intention to unify stray dog regulation under one framework.

The court clarified that municipal authorities in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram must continue following the August 11 order requiring them to pick up stray dogs and establish shelters.

However, it kept in suspension the part of the directive that had called for their permanent relocation.