'Why Don't You Feed Them at Home': Court Rebukes Petitioner Over Stray Dog Feeding

July 16, 2025 - The Supreme Court rebuked a Noida petitioner who claimed to be harassed by people for feeding stray dogs in public areas, telling him, “Why don’t you feed them in your own house?”

During the hearing, a Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted that feeding animals in communal spaces could endanger morning walkers, cyclists and two‑wheeler riders. “Why don’t you feed them in your own house? Nobody is stopping you,” the SC said, adding “Should every lane and every road be kept open just for large-hearted people? There’s space for animals, but no space for humans.”

The petition stems from a March 2025 Allahabad High Court order, under the Animal Birth Control Rules of 2023, which mandates local bodies, Resident Welfare Associations and Apartment Owners Associations to provide designated feeding points for community dogs.

The petition claimed that such places had been created in Greater Noida but not in Noida. He argued that he was only following Rule 20 of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.

To which the Bench responded sharply saying, “"We will give you that suggestion... open a shelter in your own house. Feed every dog in the community in your own house,"

The Bench warned that open‑area feeding could hinder public movement and safety, saying, “You go cycling in the morning and see what happens.”

Stray dogs have been major cause for concerns in all cities across the country. Udaipur, too, is plagued by this menace with regular reports of dog attacks and dog bite incidents in the city.

Readers may recall a recent incident of a horrific attack on a young boy by a pack of stray dogs in the Kharol Colony area of the city. The boy, walking to his friend's house through the residential colony, was chased and pulled down by about 3-4 dogs who dragged him along the ground repeatedly biting and seriously injuring him.

This horrific incident had shaken the people of the area who had raised concern about safety for residents and sought immediate action from the local administration to curb this menace in residential areas.