On August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of India directed municipal authorities in Delhi and the surrounding NCR region to remove all stray dogs from the streets and relocate them to shelters within eight weeks. The court also instructed that these shelters be equipped with facilities for sterilization, vaccination, and CCTV monitoring, along with the creation of a helpline for dog-bite incidents. The order came in response to a rise in rabies cases and frequent dog-bite incidents, some of which resulted in fatalities, particularly among children. The bench emphasized that protecting human life, especially that of infants and young children, must be a priority.
The ruling, however, has triggered widespread backlash from animal welfare organizations, activists, NGOs, and several public figures. Critics argue that the decision directly contradicts the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which mandate that sterilized and vaccinated street dogs should be returned to their original locations, not relocated permanently. They have labeled the move as inhumane, unscientific, and impractical, pointing out that existing animal shelters are already overcrowded and underfunded. Concerns have also been raised about the ecological consequences of removing street dogs, as this could lead to a surge in other urban pests such as rodents and monkeys.
Prominent voices, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Maneka Gandhi, and actor Varun Dhawan, have publicly criticized the court’s directive, calling it a “death sentence” for strays. Animal rights experts insist that the solution lies in scaling up mass sterilization and vaccination programs rather than relocation. They also warn that implementing the order without proper infrastructure could lead to widespread neglect or mass euthanasia of captured dogs.
Adding to the controversy is the fact that this ruling contradicts an earlier Supreme Court judgment in 2024, which upheld the ABC Rules and stressed compassion toward all living beings. That judgment mandated in-situ management of stray dog populations rather than relocation. Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai has acknowledged the legal conflict between the two rulings and has assured that the matter will be reviewed. Until then, the debate continues to divide opinion between public safety advocates and animal welfare defenders.