Expressing grave concern over rising incidents of dog bites and rabies, the Supreme Court bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan recently directed authorities in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad to immediately pick up stray dogs from all localities and shift them to designated shelters, without releasing them back into public spaces.

The bench issued the order in a suo motu case taken up after reports of stray dogs attacking children surfaced. Stressing the urgency, the Court warned that any individual or organisation obstructing the authorities would face legal consequences, adding that a dedicated force could be created to carry out the task.

“Infants and young children, not at any cost, should fall prey to rabies. The action should inspire confidence that they can move freely without fear of being bitten. No sentiments should be involved,” the Court observed.

Justice Pardiwala criticised the practice of sterilising stray dogs and releasing them back to the same locality, calling it “absolutely absurd”.

“Whether sterilised or not, society should be free from stray dogs. You should not find a single stray dog moving around in any locality or in the outskirts. Why should that stray dog come back to the locality, and for what?” he asked.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Government of the National Capital Region, supported strong intervention, stating that sterilisation only curbs population growth but does not remove the risk of rabies.

“We have seen on YouTube, children dying and parents crying helplessly because even doctors say, we have no cure,” Mehta told the Court.

The bench noted that the “situation is extremely grim” and directed:

1. The State of NCT of Delhi, MCD, and NDMC to establish dog shelters throughout Delhi within eight weeks, equipped with sufficient staff to manage sterilised, immunised, and detained stray dogs. These shelters must be under CCTV surveillance to ensure that no dogs are released into public spaces.

2. The State of NCT Delhi, MCD, and NDMC to immediately begin removing stray dogs from all localities—especially vulnerable areas and outskirts—and to set up shelters for at least 5,000 dogs within 6–8 weeks, expanding capacity over time. Authorities may create a special force for this purpose, and any obstruction will face legal action. The Court stressed that the exercise must be uncompromising, driven by public interest, and aimed at ensuring infants and children can move freely without the threat of rabies, with no sentimental considerations involved.

3. The MCD, NDMC, and authorities in Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram to keep daily records of stray dogs captured and housed in shelters, to be submitted at the next hearing. It warned that no captured stray dog should be released, and any violation will invite stern action.

4. The creation of a dog-bite helpline within one week, requiring stray dogs involved to be caught within four hours of a complaint. Any obstruction will be treated as contempt. Captured dogs must be sterilised, immunised, and not released, while medical facilities must be informed immediately for victim treatment. A report is to be submitted at the next hearing.

5. The authorities provide detailed data on vaccine availability, stock, and recipients, warning that any obstruction to implementing its directions will be treated as contempt and dealt with legally.

When Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra attempted to intervene on behalf of an intervenor from People for Animals, Justice Pardiwala refused, stating that no intervention applications would be entertained in the larger public interest.

“No sentiments in this type of litigation should be involved,” he said.

Amicus curiae Mr. Agarwal suggested setting up dog shelters and promoting adoption. While the Court approved the creation of shelters, it rejected the idea of turning strays into pet dogs overnight.

SG Mehta also informed the Court of the land allocated for dog shelters that was under a stay order from the Delhi High Court, requesting judicial attention to resolve the matter.

The case will be heard again in six weeks.

Case Details: In Re : 'City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price', SMW(C) No. 5/2025