Supreme Court Issues Guidelines on Stray Dogs, Calls for National Policy
New Delhi, 22nd August 2025: The Supreme Court on Friday delivered an important verdict on the management of stray dogs, directing that captured dogs should only be released after sterilization and vaccination. However, dogs infected with rabies or showing aggressive behavior will not be released.
The court also put a stay on its earlier order dated August 11, which had prohibited the release of stray dogs once caught. The bench further ruled that feeding stray dogs in public places will not be permitted, and designated feeding zones will be created for the purpose.
A special three-judge bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria reserved the matter for judgment on August 14 after hearing arguments from all parties involved.
Earlier, on August 11, a two-judge bench of the apex court had directed the removal of all stray dogs from residential areas of Delhi-NCR and ordered their transfer to shelter homes within eight weeks, citing rising cases of dog bites and rabies.
During Friday’s ruling, Justice Vikram Nath stressed the need for a uniform national policy to regulate the management of stray dogs. “A policy should be made at the national level for this. We have made all states and union territories parties to the case,” he observed.
The court also directed that all similar cases pending in High Courts across the country be transferred to the Supreme Court for consolidated hearing. The matter will now be taken up again in October 2025.
