Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs From Delhi-NCR Streets in 8 Weeks, Mandates Permanent Shelters

The Supreme Court on August 11, 2025, directed municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad to remove all stray dogs from public spaces and relocate them to permanent shelter homes within eight weeks. The court ordered that the dogs be sterilized and not released back onto the streets afterward.

A panel of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta made this decision following petitions that reported frequent dog bite incidents in Delhi-NCR. The court told authorities that it was “not a time to talk but to act” and set strict timelines for compliance.

Under the order, municipal corporations, councils, and development authorities must establish or identify permanent shelters equipped with facilities for housing the relocated animals. These shelters should provide food, water, and medical care. The court has ordered the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to oversee the process of sterilizing and sheltering stray dogs and to provide regular updates on their progress.

In a 2022 affidavit, the AWBI recommended managing stray dogs in the community by focusing on sterilization, vaccination, and returning them to their original locations. However, due to safety concerns, the Supreme Court now prefers removal and permanent housing for these dogs.

The court stressed that municipal bodies in the Delhi-NCR area should immediately start collecting stray dogs, especially in places with high rates of dog bites. It also asked the Delhi Police and other law enforcement agencies to help ensure safety during the relocation.

The bench clarified that dogs already picked up should be sent to shelters without being released back, even if sterilised, and newly captured ones must also be kept permanently. It directed that shelters should have adequate space, staff, and veterinary facilities, and that authorities must submit compliance reports to the court.

Animal welfare activist Gauri Maulekhi, recipient of the 2018 Nari Shakti Puraskar, criticised the ruling, calling it “a death sentence for our community animals.” She said, “In a shocking move, the Supreme Court has ordered that all street dogs in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon & Noida be permanently confined in pounds — with CCTV to ensure none are released. The court has ignored Animal Birth Control rules, dismissed inputs from intervening parties, and even cited a Western movie dialogue to justify its stance. All this, despite zero human rabies deaths recorded in Delhi in the past 3 years. This is not just unscientific, it’s cruel and dangerous. If you care for street animals, now is the time to speak in one voice.”

Data presented during the hearings showed that the Delhi-NCR region has thousands of stray dogs. Local authorities reported difficulties in controlling their numbers under the previous capture-neuter-release policy. The new order replaces that policy with a no-release directive.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) have been tasked with identifying available land for new dog shelters and expanding existing ones. Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad authorities must coordinate with state governments to ensure compliance.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing after eight weeks to review implementation status. Failure to meet the deadlines could result in further directions or action from the court.

The order applies only to the Delhi-NCR region and does not alter existing stray dog management policies in other parts of the country unless similar directions are issued later.

(Rh/Eth/MSM)