The Supreme Court of India has temporarily stayed an earlier order mandating the permanent relocation of stray dogs from the streets to dog shelters in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The three-judge special bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria, passed the stay on a directive issued by a two-judge bench that had instructed authorities in Delhi-NCR to begin removing stray dogs from all areas and transport them to shelters.
Additionally, the Supreme Court imposed a ban on feeding stray dogs in public spaces, warning that appropriate legal action would be taken against violators. The two-judge bench’s ruling had sparked significant opposition from animal welfare organizations, which raised concerns about the adequacy and conditions of existing shelters. They argued that the shelters are often poorly equipped to handle the influx of dogs and that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, which involves sterilizing and vaccinating stray dogs before returning them to their original locations, should remain the primary, humane solution.
The ABC program has been widely supported by animal rights groups for its focus on long-term, sustainable management of the stray dog population. The temporary stay from the Supreme Court comes amid growing protests and calls for more thoughtful and humane approaches to handling stray animals in urban spaces. The court’s decision highlights the ongoing tension between public health concerns and animal welfare, emphasizing the need for balanced and responsible solutions in managing the stray dog issue.
