The Delhi High Court has initiated a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) to monitor whether the Supreme Court’s directions on the management of stray dogs are being followed.

Court Seeks Replies:

A Division Bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta has asked the Central Government, the Delhi Government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to file their responses on the steps taken for the birth control, sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs. The next hearing is on August 3.

Supreme Court’s First Directions:

The issue of stray dog management came into focus after the Supreme Court issued a series of directions last year. Initially, the Court directed municipal authorities in Delhi to pick up stray dogs and move them to designated shelters. It also directed the authorities to set up enough dog shelters with adequate staff to carry out sterilisation and vaccination.

Order Modified:

However, these directions led to widespread protests by animal rights organisations. After this, the Supreme Court changed its earlier order. In its revised directions, the Court focused more on vaccination, sterilisation and releasing stray dogs according to the Animal Birth Control Rules, instead of keeping them permanently in shelters.

Nationwide Directions:

As an interim measure, on November 7, 2025, the Supreme Court widened the scope of its directions. It ordered all States and the NHAI to remove stray animals from highways and from places such as hospitals, schools and other educational institutions across the country.

Fencing Ordered:

The Court also directed all government and private schools, colleges and healthcare institutions to put up fencing within eight weeks to reduce the risk of stray dog attacks. It also made it clear that stray dogs picked up from these institutions should not be released back there.

HCs Told to Monitor:

In its judgment dated May 19, the Supreme Court strengthened the monitoring process. It directed every High Court in the country to register a suo motu case to monitor whether its directions were being followed.

Compliance Reports:

The Court also directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to submit compliance reports before their respective High Courts by August 7, 2026.

Supreme Court Warning:

The Supreme Court had also given a strong warning on the implementation of its directions. It said that “any continued non-compliance by the officials with the directions would be viewed seriously.”

Delhi High Court Action:

Following these directions, the Delhi High Court has now started suo motu proceedings to examine what steps the concerned authorities have taken to ensure effective management of stray dogs in the national capital.

Case Details: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION REGARDING COMPLAINCE WITH THE DIRECTIONS ISSUED BY THE SUPREME COURT & other connected matters