SC orders all stray dogs in Delhi NCR to be moved to shelters, no petitions to be entertained

Amid rising dog bite cases and deaths due to rabies, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered authorities in Delhi NCR to shift all stray dogs to shelters, away from residential localities, along with warning organisations of contempt if they protested the move.

The bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan were hearing a petition on the rising incidents of stray dog attacks and rabies cases. The civic authorities in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram were directed to build the dog shelters and submit the developments, as per reports.

The judges also said that these shelters must be headed by experts in the matter and should be equipped with CCTVs to stop the dogs from escaping.

The court said that it will hear arguments only from the Centre and no petitions against this will be entertained. Anyone who proves to be a hurdle to the process will face action for contempt of the court, warned the SC.

During the hearing, the availability of the rabies vaccine was also discussed, as per reports.

The Central government has also intensified its efforts to manage the stray dog population and reduce dog bite incidents across the country.  

According to data presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, S P Singh Baghel, India reported 37,17,336 dog bite cases and 54 suspected human rabies deaths in 2024.

Municipalities, under Article 243(W), are mandated to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, focusing on neutering and anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs. To streamline this, the government notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, superseding the earlier 2001 rules.

These new rules incorporate Supreme Court and Delhi High Court directives, including guidelines for feeding and care of community animals. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued multiple advisories to ensure effective street dog population control and promote man-dog conflict resolution.

Between 2024 and June 2025, 166 letters were sent to RWAs and local bodies to ensure compliance.

On the health front, the Ministry of Health is implementing the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), which includes setting up Model Anti-Rabies Clinics, ensuring vaccine availability, and launching the “Rabies-Free City” initiative.

Additionally, the Centre has allocated ₹3,535.86 lakh over the past five years for anti-rabies vaccine procurement under the ASCAD scheme, including ₹1,423.41 lakh in 2024-25 for over 80 lakh doses. The government has also urged States/UTs to adopt the ABC Programme through local bodies to enhance public safety, particularly for children.

The Department of Animal Husbandry conducts a five-year livestock census, which includes stray dogs, while municipalities have been advised to conduct annual local censuses under the ABC Rules.

The Centre’s comprehensive approach aims to address both public health and animal welfare in tackling the growing stray dog issue.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)