New Delhi, August 13: The Supreme Court will revisit its recent order mandating the permanent relocation of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets to shelters, after nationwide protests challenged the move. A new three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria is set to hear the suo motu case on Thursday.
The previous order, passed on August 11 by Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, directed that all stray dogs be moved “at the earliest” to designated shelters. The bench had termed the rising cases of dog bites an “extremely grim” situation, calling for immediate action. The verdict also mandated Delhi authorities to begin building shelters capable of housing 5,000 canines within six to eight weeks.
The ruling has triggered strong backlash from animal rights groups, residents, and welfare organisations, who argue that the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001 — which require regular sterilisation and vaccination programmes — are the correct way to manage stray populations, not mass relocation.
On Wednesday, lawyers referred to a May 2024 order by Justice J K Maheshwari, which had directed that stray dog-related petitions be handled by respective high courts. The Chief Justice of India, B R Gavai, said he would “look into” the matter after the petitioners raised their concerns.
In its August 11 decision, the apex court also warned that any individual or organisation obstructing the relocation process could face strict legal action, including contempt proceedings. The case now returns to court amid mounting public debate over animal welfare, public safety, and urban policy in India’s capital region.