The Supreme Court of India (SC) has finally reversed its order of capturing and confining stray dogs from the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). On a significant morning of August 22nd 2025, Supreme Court of India decided the release of the stray dogs that were captured on the court’s notice which was declared on 11th August 2025 under the bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala. The hearing was reassigned to the three-judge bench led by Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria. The new bench redirected the past ordeal and announced the release of stray dogs after the dogs are de-wormed and vaccinated. The revised ordeal by the SC comes in to ensure the protection of civilians from dog bites while serving for the welfare of the stray animals.
Furthermore, the court ordered that any person who would go against the court’s rule will be the subject against whom the court may take any action. It also warned the animal welfare groups, activists, and the people that anyone who interferes against the court’s order may face serious action.
The Back-story
On August 11th 2025, the Supreme Court held a hearing on a case where it was ordered that all the stray dogs in Delhi-NCR region must be taken away from the streets and placed in shelters. The SC had asked the concerned authorities to vacate the dogs from the streets within 8 weeks and place them in shelter homes. The order was made due to increasing dog bites in the city leading to diseases. The dogs were spreading rabies and many other deadly diseases due to which more than 300 deaths were being reported in Delhi in a year.
This decision faced a major backlash from the animal rights activists and also from the people across social media channels. Some people took it to their social media accounts and raised their voice against the order while many other activists and civilians took it to the roads and began fighting for the rights of the captured dogs. They believed that there are not enough shelters in Delhi to manage more than 50,000 dogs. People from the all over the nation began protesting against the SC’s decision and some even took it to the court for changing the order.
What changes did SC introduce in the latest Verdict?
The SC after hearing numerous pleas against the last verdict of August 11th, against the stray dogs, the SC ordered that the stray dogs must be sent back to the places from where they were picked only after getting fully vaccinated and de-wormed. Further, the SC ordered the shelters to not release the dogs that are aggressive and infected. Dedicated dog-feeding spaces will be created in each municipal ward for people to feed the dogs. No one will be allowed to feed the dogs on street or legal action will be taken against the person doing so. The SC has ordered to develop a national policy for such stray dog incidents involving all states. Finally, the SC has ordered the animal activists, lovers and NGOs to contribute ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 2 Lakh for the development of shelter homes for the dogs.
How are people reacting to the news?
Politicians, NGOs, Animal welfare activists and the animal lovers are now reacting on the recent verdict of the SC. Maneka Gandhi, a BJP leader and animal rights activist, reacted to the judgment and referred to it as ‘scientific’, further she asked the court to define ‘aggressive dogs’ to be more specific. Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader, welcomed the SC’s decision and called it a “progressive step toward balancing animal welfare and public safety.” Mayor of Delhi, Raja Iqbal Singh, also hailed the decision and stated, “We welcome the decision….we all love street dogs and we are all dog lovers, so this is a very good decision.” Leaders from Shiv Sena, BJP, Congress and other parties, welcomed the revised decision of the SC and stated that SC has corrected its wrong judgment (referring to the 11th Augusts’ order).
Conclusion
As per the reports collected by C2C leadership, the revised decision of SC is being widely accepted and favoured by the people of India. The court has taken up a well-thought and compassionate approach towards the issue. The support of the political leaders is presenting the consensus on the issue. The need for a national policy is also a great step by the SC towards protection of the civilians from the stray animals and the animal welfare. This verdict addresses the need for the nation in the policymaking of the dog management system in India. The court’s new decision, therefore, marks a victory for both the animal rights activists and also works towards the concern for the safety of the public depicting how empathy and protection can coexist in India.
