Supreme Court orders Delhi authorities to shelter all stray dogs, invoking constitutional and statutory powers to protect citizens from rabies and ensure public safety.
Case in News
Supreme Court directs removal of Delhi stray dogs to shelters to prevent rabies and ensure public safety .
Case Overview
Case Name –In Re City Hounded By Strays Kids Pay Price | SMW(C) No. 5/2025
In the suo motu matter In Re : Menace Created By Stray Dogs, a bench of Supreme Court Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan issued urgent directions on August 11, 2025, to address the stray dog menace in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad . Triggered by reports of children being mauled by stray dogs, the Court stressed that protecting human life must take precedence over sentiments .
Key Aspects
The Court, considering the grave public health risk posed by stray dog attacks and rabies, issued comprehensive measures for immediate implementation . These directives focus on permanent sheltering, vaccination and strict operational monitoring to ensure the safety of citizens, especially children . The significant aspects are :
- Establish dog shelters across NCT Delhi with an initial capacity for 5,000 dogs in 6–8 weeks .
- Stray dogs to be detained permanently; no release back to public areas .
- Maintain daily records of captured dogs in Delhi and neighbouring cities .
- Launch a helpline within one week for bite complaints; capture the reported dog within four hours .
- Ensure adequate anti-rabies vaccine stock with public disclosure .
Legal Insights
These directions are rooted in constitutional and statutory mandates ensuring public safety and preventing the spread of disease . The Court relied on multiple provisions to justify urgent intervention and penal consequences for obstruction . Relevant legal provisions include:
- Article 21 of the Constitution of India : Right to life includes protection from rabies and dog attacks .
- Article 32 : Empowers the Supreme Court directions to enforce fundamental rights .
- Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 : Obligate municipal bodies to regulate and shelter stray animals .
Court’s Verdict
The Court directed immediate capture and sheltering of all stray dogs in Delhi and adjoining areas, constant shelter monitoring, public reporting of vaccine stocks and penal action against any interference . The matter will be reviewed after six weeks .
Source – Supreme Court of India
Also read – Article 21 of the Constitution of India
