SC Revises Stray Dog Order: 'Release Them After Vaccination'

Aug 22, 2025 - The Supreme Court today modified its August 11 Court order on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR with a fresh ruling that the stray dogs picked up must be sterilised, immunised, dewormed and then be released back to the same area. The earlier order had said that stray dogs must be picked up within eight weeks and NOT be released.

A three-Judge Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria also expanded the scope of the order across the country and not just Delhi-NCR.

Exception was made for dogs suffering from rabies or displaying aggressive behaviour in which case the Court directed that such dogs were not to be released after being picked up.

The apex court today also specified that feeding stray dogs in public places would not be permitted under any circumstances and violators would be punished under the law. Municipal bodies were told to create feeding areas in wards. 

The Bench issued strict instructions against any obstruction in the functioning of municipal bodies when capturing stray dogs. Authorities were given a free hand to initiate proceedings against those found doing this. Each NGO or animal lover found obstructing may be directed to pay Rs 25,000 as costs.

“It is still an interim direction. We have expanded the scope pan-India and have issued notices to all states and UTs, notices to concerned departments, since there are various similar matters pending before this court so that a national policy could be framed to deal with the issue. We have suggested some modifications in the previous order,” Justice Nath said while reading out the operative part of the order in open Court.