New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has issued sweeping directions to authorities in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to address the rising stray dog menace, warning that any obstruction in the implementation of its orders will be treated as contempt of court.
A division bench has directed all authorities in Delhi, Ghaziabad, NOIDA, Faridabad, and Gurugram to immediately begin the process of picking up stray dogs from localities and relocating them to designated shelters or pounds.
The Court has ordered that no relocated stray dogs are to be released back onto the streets under any circumstances. Instead, they must be captured, sterilized, dewormed, and immunized as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Authorities have also been asked to ensure sufficient staffing and infrastructure for the proper care of detained dogs.
Importantly, the Court has underlined that the creation of dog shelters and pounds must be undertaken across NCR within eight weeks, with a compliance report to be filed before it.
The bench further stressed that feeding stray dogs in open and public places, particularly outside residential homes, will not be permitted. Citizens wishing to feed stray dogs must do so only in designated shelter homes or pounds once they are established.
“We do not want to hear about even a semblance of lethargy from the concerned authorities,” the Court observed, warning that any hindrance or obstruction by individuals or organisations will be viewed as contempt of this Court and will invite strict legal action.
The order comes against the backdrop of growing public health and safety concerns linked to stray dog attacks and unregulated feeding in residential areas. The Court said its directions were aimed at ensuring both public safety and humane treatment of animals, with permanent infrastructure for sterilisation, vaccination, and sheltering.
The case will continue to be monitored by the Supreme Court, with the next compliance review due after the eight-week reporting deadline.
