In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price” 2025 INSC 1018 - Modified Directions

Stray Dogs Matter - Earlier Directions in City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price” Modified: a. Municipal authorities shall continue to comply with the directions contained in paras 12(i) and 12(ii) of the subject order. b. The directions contained in paras 12(iii) and 12(iv), to the extent that they prohibit the release of the picked up strays, shall be kept in abeyance for the time being. The dogs that are picked up shall be sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated, and released back to the same area from which they were picked up. It is, however, clarified that this relocation shall not apply to the dogs infected with rabies or suspected to be infected with rabies, and those that display aggressive behaviour. Such dogs shall be sterilised and immunised, but under no circumstances should they be released back onto the streets. Furthermore, as far as possible, such stray dogs shall be kept in a separate pound/shelter after sterilisation and immunisation. c. The directions contained in para 12(v) shall remain subject to the directions given by us in paras (a) and (b). d. Municipal authorities shall forthwith commence an exercise for creating dedicated feeding spaces for the stray dogs in each municipal ward. The feeding areas shall be created/identified keeping in view the population and concentration of stray dogs in the particular municipal ward. Gantries/notice boards shall be placed near such designated feeding areas, mentioning that stray dogs shall only be fed in such areas. Under no condition shall the feeding of stray dogs on the streets be permitted. The persons found feeding the dogs on the streets in contravention of the above directions shall be liable to be proceeded against under the relevant legal framework. The aforesaid directions are being issued in view of the reports regarding untoward incidents caused by unregulated feeding of stray dogs and to ensure that the practice of feeding dogs on roads and in public places is eliminated, as the said practice creates great difficulties for the common man walking on the streets. e. Each municipal authority shall create a dedicated helpline number for reporting incidents of violation of the above directions. On such a report being  received, appropriate measures shall be taken against the individuals/NGOs concerned. f. The direction given in para 13 of the order dated 11th August 2025, is reiterated with a slight modification that no individual or organisation shall cause any hindrance or obstruction in the effective implementation of the directions given above. In case any public servant acting in compliance with the aforesaid directions is obstructed, then the violator/s shall be liable to face prosecution for obstructing the public servant acting in discharge of official duty. g. Each individual dog lover and each NGO that has approached this Court shall deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/- and Rs.2,00,000/-, respectively, with the Registry of this Court within a period of 7 days, failing which they shall not be allowed to appear in the matter any further. The amounts so deposited shall be utilised in the creation of the infrastructure and facilities for the stray dogs under the aegis of the respective municipal bodies. h. The desirous animal lover/s shall be free to move the application to the concerned municipal body for adoption of the street dogs, upon which the identified/selected street dog/s shall be tagged and given in adoption to the applicant. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant(s) to ensure that the adopted stray dogs do not return to the streets. i. The municipal authorities shall file an affidavit of compliance with complete statistics of resources, viz., dog pounds, veterinarians, dog catching personnel, specially modified vehicles/cages available as on date for the purpose of compliance of the ABC Rules.

Supreme Court To Expand Scope Of Stray Dogs Matter Beyond New Delhi & NCR Region

The Supreme Court clarified that the relocation shall not apply to the dogs infected with rabies or suspected to be infected with rabies, and those that display aggressive behaviour.

VerdictumSwasti Chaturvedi

Stray Dogs To Be Vaccinated, Sterilized & Returned To Streets: Supreme Court Partially Modifies Earlier Order

The Supreme Court also impleaded all States and Union Territories in the matter as the issue of dog-bites is a PAN-India issue.

VerdictumPridhi Chopra