Supreme Court modifies Stray Dog verdict: No Public Feeding, Only Vaccinated Dogs Back on Streets

August 22, 2025

  New Delhi: The Supreme Court pronounced the modified version of the earlier court order in today’s verdict on the issue of relocating stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region. Supreme Court, in a decision, said that canines will be released back into the respective area after sterilization. The modification came  amid widespread debate and opposition from animal rights activists and organisations.

Supreme Court modified August 11 order saying stray dogs will be released back to the same area after sterilisation and immunisation, except those infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour. Those dogs with aggressive behaviour will be kept in the shelter.

No Public feeding of Dogs 

Supreme Court ordered that no public feeding of dogs will be allowed, and dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs to be created. Supreme Court noted that there have been instances of dog bites due to such feeding instances.

The judgment was delivered by a three-judge Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria, in the suo motu case titled “In Re: City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price.” The case addresses a previous direction by a two-judge Bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala, which had ordered municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad to capture and relocate all stray dogs to designated shelters.

The order, issued in response to rising concerns over public safety and rabies incidents, instructed authorities to make the streets free of strays and warned of strict legal action against individuals or organisations obstructing these efforts.

Protest after Supreme Court order 

However, the directive sparked a significant backlash from animal welfare groups, activists, and citizens, who argued that the region lacks adequate shelter infrastructure to house such a large population of stray animals.

Many also criticised the move as conflicting with the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling, which upheld the rights of stray animals and emphasised compassion and coexistence as constitutional values.

Chief Justice said, ‘We’ll look into it’

Amid this conflict, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai intervened and constituted a three-judge Bench to reassess the matter, especially in light of previous court pronouncements that bar the killing of stray dogs and promote humane treatment of animals.

As per the apex court’s causelist, the judgment will be delivered on Friday. The court is also expected to hear a related petition challenging a similar directive issued by the Rajasthan High Court concerning stray dog management in that state.