The Supreme Court of India, deeply concerned over the escalating incidents of dog bites and the associated risk of rabies, has issued a stringent directive to authorities in Delhi to commence the prompt capture and relocation of stray dogs from all neighborhoods to designated dog shelters.

 

In an urgent hearing on Monday, August 11, a bench led by Justices JB Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan underscored the grave public health threat posed by stray dogs, especially to young children and infants. The court emphasized that no child should fall victim to rabies under any circumstances and insisted on immediate remedial action to restore public safety.

 

• Authorities in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi—including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC)—are mandated to establish dog shelters equipped with adequate facilities for sterilization, vaccination, and care of captured stray dogs within eight weeks. These shelters must be monitored by CCTV to prevent any dogs from being released back into public areas.

• The court vehemently criticized the existing practice of catching stray dogs, sterilizing them, and then releasing them back into their original localities. Justice Pardiwala questioned the rationale behind such an approach, labeling it “absurd and unreasonable,” stressing that communities should not be burdened with the presence of stray dogs regardless of sterilization status.

• The authorities are required to initiate a large-scale operation to capture approximately 5,000 stray dogs within the next six to eight weeks. This operation must cover all vulnerable areas, city localities, and outskirts. If necessary, specialized task forces may be created to carry out this mission efficiently.

• Any individual or organization obstructing the capture or detention of stray dogs will face strict legal consequences. The court made clear that use of force by officials is permissible when required to ensure public safety.

• The stray dogs must remain confined within shelters and under no circumstance should they be released back into public spaces. The court warned that failure to comply would invite stern punitive measures.

• A helpline must be established within one week to report incidents of dog bites and rabies. Complaints should trigger a response within four hours, including the capture of the offending dog, which will be sterilized and quarantined rather than released.

• The court also directed authorities to maintain a comprehensive daily record of captured dogs and to provide detailed reports on the availability and stock levels of rabies vaccines and treatments.

 

 

Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, highlighted the limitations of sterilization, pointing out that while it helps control population growth, it does not eliminate the risk of rabies transmission. He referenced heartbreaking cases of children succumbing to rabies, emphasizing the urgency of the court’s intervention.

 

Senior Advocate and Amicus Curiae Gaurav Agarwal offered suggestions, including shelter infrastructure and dog adoption programs. However, the court firmly rejected the idea of releasing stray dogs back into localities or converting them into pets overnight, reinforcing the focus on public safety over sentimental considerations.

 

The Court declined to entertain intervention requests from animal welfare groups to maintain a strict, no-compromise stance on the matter.

 

 

The directions were issued suo motu (on the court’s own motion) following media reports detailing the rising menace of stray dogs attacking children, thereby endangering public health and safety across Delhi.