Stray dogs to be released from shelter homes only after sterilisation

• Supreme Court’s revised directive

• Aggressive and rabid stray dogs are not to be released

• Action to be taken against people who interfere with the implementation

New Delhi –  The Supreme Court modified its directive on the petition of problems related to stray dogs after the earlier directive issued on 11.08.2025. Stray dogs may now be released back into their original places of habitation after being dewormed and vaccinated. The dogs, once dewormed and vaccinated, shall be returned to the same area,” the Court ordered. Dogs will be released only after sterilisation. Aggressive and rabid dogs, however, will not be released, clarified the Court. The Court also clarified that the decision will apply to the whole country and not only to Delhi-NCR, while ordering it to take action against those who interfere in the implementation of the directive.

In the hearing held on 11.8.2025, the Court had ordered to remove all stray dogs from Delhi–NCR residential areas and send them to shelter houses within eight weeks since there was a rise in the incidents of dog bites and rabid dogs.

Ban on feeding dogs in public places and designate areas for feeding

The Court has explained that permission would not be granted to feed stray dogs in public places, but separate zones will be created for the purpose. Many incidents have been reported about feeding stray dogs on roads, which will now be stopped.

Stray Dogs Will Only Be Released from Shelters After Sterilization – Supreme Court’s Revised Ruling

Aggressive dogs will not be released!

But who decides what’s “aggressive”?

Experts warn this could lead to demands for no release at all! pic.twitter.com/5YtIwYRt9j

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) August 23, 2025

Restrictions on animal-lovers and voluntary organisations to continue

The Court has sustained its restrictions on animal rights activists from interfering with the duty of municipalities. The animal-lovers and voluntary organisations filing a petition in this context to interfere in this matter will have to deposit Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakhs, respectively in the Court. They will not be allowed to attend the next hearing if the money is not deposited within seven days.

National policy to be formed

Earlier, the case was limited to the Delhi–NCR area. Now, the Court has made all States and union territories as parties to this case and expanded the scope of the hearing. All cases pending in different courts on this matter have been classified under the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court clarified that a national policy will be formed after hearing from all States. All related cases will be transferred to the Supreme Court for finalising a uniform national policy in this context.

How to decide whether a dog is aggressive ? – Query by experts and citizens

(Editorial Perspective : Somebody may demand that all dogs are aggressive and should not be released)

Different responses are coming from people after the decision of the Supreme Court. They are expressing their views. They feel that even if the administration catches stray dogs and sterilises them, how to decide whether they are aggressive or not and if a dog does not seem to be aggressive today, becomes aggressive tomorrow and starts biting, who will be responsible for it. How long will it take to catch all stray dogs and to create a shelter for them and sterilise and vaccinate them ? How a place for feeding dogs will be decided and by whom ? People also asked that is there guarantee of dogs not biting only after sterilisation and they would not attack children and old people ?

Main points in the Court’s directives

1. Stray dogs will be released from shelters after their deworming, vaccination and sterilisation.

2. Aggressive and rabid dogs will not be released.

3. Separate places to be decided for feeding

4. Feeding dogs on roads will be prohibited and action will be taken if someone is found doing so.

5. Every municipality will have to create a separate helpline for receiving complaints on violation of the directive.

6. Animal rights activists will not create obstruction in implementation of the directive.

7. Every animal-lover and voluntary organisation filing petitions in the matter will have to deposit a certain amount in the court.

8. Dogs once adopted, will not be released on the road.

9. Uniform national policy will be framed soon.