'Stray Dog Issue Due To Authorities' Inaction': SC Reserves Order On Pleas Seeking Stay On Removal Of Delhi-NCR Dogs

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday, August 14, reserved the contentious case on the fate of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, days after its earlier directive ordering their blanket removal from public spaces sparked street protests, political criticism, and outrage from animal rights groups across the national capital.

A three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria heard the matter, which was urgently listed after Chief Justice B R Gavai, a day earlier, said, “I will look into it”, in response to a plea by an advocate questioning the legality of the removal order.

Here's What the Court Said

During the hearing, Justice Nath observed that the crisis was a result of “inaction of local authorities." He said, "Local authorities are not doing what they should be doing. They should be here taking responsibility. Everyone who has come here to file intervention should take responsibility.”

The bench further noted that the case pits “human suffering” on one side against the concerns of “animal lovers” on the other, and directed all interveners to submit affidavits and evidence.

From Two-Judge Order to Three-Judge Review

On August 11, a bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan directed authorities to begin rounding up stray dogs “at the earliest” from all NCR localities, starting with 5,000 within six to eight weeks. The order also barred any released strays from returning to streets, colonies or public spaces.

Authorities were told to create dog shelters immediately and report back within eight weeks. The detailed judgment, uploaded Wednesday, recorded that all captured dogs must be “sterilised, dewormed and immunised as required by Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.”

Public and Political Backlash

Opposing the protesters had gathered at India Gate the same night, with several detained. Leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Varun Gandhi, and Maneka Gandhi voiced opposition, while PETA India called the order “impractical, illogical, and illegal.”

However, the MCD says it has already picked up over 100 strays and converted 20 Animal Birth Control centres into shelters. It further added that an 85-acre site in Ghoga Dairy has been earmarked for larger facilities.

Published on: Thursday, August 14, 2025, 11:21 AM IST