New Delhi: In a landmark directive addressing the stray dog crisis in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court has ordered authorities to immediately begin removing stray dogs from all neighbourhoods and permanently relocate them to designated shelters.
The order, issued on August 11 and made public on Wednesday, was delivered by a bench comprising Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan while hearing a suo motu case initiated on July 28 over rising stray dog bites leading to rabies, especially among children.
Emphasizing the judiciary’s role in upholding justice beyond prevailing public opinion, the bench observed, “The judiciary must not assume or take on the colouration of the prevailing popular sentiments of the time. Its role is not to echo the passions of the moment, but to uphold enduring principles of justice, conscience, and equity.”
The court further stated that as the “sentinel on the qui vive” and guardian of rights, it bore the “courage and strength” to remind people of truths they may not wish to hear. While acknowledging the “genuine love and care” for stray dogs, the bench urged animal lovers to come forward and adopt dogs rather than opposing relocation efforts.
“We do not subscribe to virtue signalling by those professing concern for animals without contributing to a solution,” the order noted, cautioning against creating a “virtual divide” between animal lovers and those indifferent to animals.
The court’s directions come amid an escalating public debate in Delhi-NCR over balancing public safety and animal welfare. It stressed that the core problem—frequent dog bites and rabies fatalities—remains unresolved despite emotional arguments.
The bench issued a series of actionable directives to local authorities, urging prompt execution to safeguard public health while encouraging responsible adoption and shelter management.
