On August 13, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai responded to an urgent mention regarding stray dogs, stating, “I will look into it.”

The plea, filed by Conference for Human Rights (India) in 2024, challenges a Delhi High Court order that refused to hear its PIL seeking sterilisation and vaccination of community dogs in Delhi in line with the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules.

CJI Gavai noted that another bench had recently dealt with the issue — referring to Justice JB Pardiwala’s August 11 order for relocating stray dogs in Delhi to shelters.

The counsel highlighted an earlier May 2024 order by Justice JK Maheshwari’s bench, which had transferred similar petitions to respective High Courts but emphasised:

“Under all circumstances, there cannot be any indiscriminate killings of canines… exhibiting compassion to all living beings is a Constitutional value and obligation.”

The Supreme Court is now expected to review the matter in light of these overlapping orders.