Supreme Court Orders Immediate Removal of Stray Dogs in Delhi, Warns of Strict Action Against Obstruction

New Delhi, Aug 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern directive to the Delhi government and civic authorities to immediately remove stray dogs from all localities, prioritising vulnerable areas, and to house them in shelters equipped with sterilisation and vaccination facilities. The order comes in response to rising dog bite incidents and rabies-related fatalities, particularly affecting children and the elderly in the National Capital Region.

A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan passed the order while hearing a suo motu case triggered by disturbing media reports, including a Times of India article. The court expressed alarm over the “extremely serious” public health risk posed by unvaccinated stray dogs, noting that sentiments must not override urgent safety measures.

Shelters and Surveillance Measures
The court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and the Government of NCT of Delhi to establish shelters capable of housing at least 5,000 dogs in the initial phase. These shelters must have adequate staff to carry out sterilisation and vaccination. It further ordered the installation of CCTV cameras to ensure no captured dogs are released back onto the streets.

Strict Warnings Against Obstruction
In a strongly worded warning, the Bench said any person or organisation obstructing the removal of stray dogs would face legal consequences, including contempt proceedings. “The first and foremost exercise must be to make all localities free of stray dogs… there must be no compromise,” the order stated.

The court instructed authorities to set up a dedicated helpline within one week to enable immediate reporting of dog bite incidents. It also extended its directive to neighbouring cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram.

Public Interest Above Sentiment
Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that parents welcomed the intervention, emphasising the need to protect children’s lives. He also noted that earlier removal efforts had been hindered by a stay order obtained by a dog rights activist. This prompted Justice Pardiwala to pointedly question whether activists could bring back those who had lost their lives to rabies.

Background and Trigger
The court took suo motu cognisance on July 28 after reports revealed hundreds of daily dog bite cases across Delhi and its outskirts, with victims often contracting rabies. The Times of India report cited alarming statistics showing newborns, schoolchildren, and elderly citizens as the most vulnerable.

Justice Pardiwala underscored that the order was issued in the larger public interest, aiming to prevent further loss of life and to address what the court described as a preventable public health crisis. “Infants and small children must not become victims of dog attacks under any circumstances,” the court stressed.

Next Steps
The authorities have been instructed to commence the dog removal drive immediately, starting with high-risk areas, and to deploy a dedicated task force if necessary. The court also made it clear that its directions are non-negotiable, and compliance will be closely monitored.

With this order, the Supreme Court has set the stage for a decisive, large-scale intervention in Delhi’s ongoing stray dog crisis—balancing animal welfare through sheltering, sterilisation, and vaccination with the urgent need to protect human life.