Supreme Court of India Revises Stray Dog Policy Amid Protests

The Indian Supreme Court has altered its earlier directive regarding the management of stray dogs in Delhi, amidst heightened protests from animal rights organizations. Initially, the court had issued an order for authorities to round up and confine all stray dogs to shelters due to rising dog bite incidents, particularly concerning rabies. However, following significant public backlash and mounting legal challenges from activists, the court has now mandated that only aggressive or rabid dogs be sheltered while allowing non-aggressive, healthy strays to return to their original locations post-vaccination and sterilization. Additionally, the court has prohibited the public from feeding stray dogs outside designated areas and has laid out plans for a more comprehensive national stray dog policy.

The Supreme Court's three-judge bench made this revised ruling after recognizing that their earlier mandate led to unrest amongst animal welfare supporters, who advocate for more humane treatments such as sterilization and vaccination. The court's decision recognizes the need to balance public health concerns—with Delhi's stray dog population estimated at one million—with humane treatment of animals. The court announced that individuals eager to adopt these strays should work through municipal channels, emphasizing a strict approach against public feeding. The ongoing discussions around stray dog management indicate that this issue remains a significant societal and legal challenge for India, with implications for both public safety and animal welfare.