Activists and animal lovers had strongly protested the initial order issued on August 11, citing logistical impossibility, insufficient shelter space, and ethical concerns. The updated verdict is seen as a scientific and humane resolution balancing public health and animal welfare.
Key Directives of the Revised Verdict
- Return to Original Localities
Stray dogs must be sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to the same area they were collected from. - Exempting Rabid or Aggressive Dogs
Dogs infected with rabies or displaying dangerous behavior are not to be released back and must be quarantined or sheltered. - Ban on Public Feeding; Dedicated Zones Introduced
Public feeding of street dogs is prohibited. Instead, designated feeding zones will be established by municipal authorities to manage feeding in an organized manner. - Standardized National Policy Under Review
The Supreme Court has expanded the scope of the ruling to a pan-India scale, asking states and UTs to develop uniform policies based on the ABC (Animal Birth Control) rules and centralized implementation.
Reactions: Animal Welfare vs. Public Safety
- Praise from Advocates
Animal rights leaders like Maneka Gandhi called the ruling a “scientific judgment,” advocating clarity on the definition of aggression. The order was widely hailed by organizations like PETA India. - Balancing Welfare and Safety
The verdict aims to protect public safety—especially for children and the elderly—while honoring the humane treatment of animals by avoiding unnecessary destruction or displacement.
Background: The Earlier Controversial Order
On August 11, the Supreme Court had directed authorities to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks and relocate them permanently to shelters, citing the rise in dog bites and rabies cases. It also called for infrastructure upgrades, including shelters and CCTV monitoring.
The order sparked outrage from animal lovers, civil society, and several political figures who pointed out the inadequacy of infrastructure and the emotional bond between communities and stray dogs
Summary: What Changed – From Relocation to Managed Return
| Previous Order (Aug 11) | Revised Order (Aug 22) |
|---|---|
| Mandatory relocation of all stray dogs to shelters | Return sterilized dogs to original locality |
| No provision for aggressive/rabid dogs | Aggressive/rabid dogs quarantined or sheltered |
| No restrictions on public feeding | Public feeding banned; designated zones required |
| Local orders only (Delhi-NCR) | Mandates national uniform policy under ABC Rules |
