Stray Dog Welfare: Supreme Court Orders NGOs to Deposit 2 Lakh

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The Supreme Court of India has issued a significant ruling on how stray dogs will be managed across the country. The order, announced on Friday, lays down strict conditions for individuals and organisations who wish to take part in the ongoing case, while also setting clear rules for how stray dogs should be treated in public spaces.

As per the court’s direction, any NGO that wants to continue in the case must deposit ₹2 lakh with the court registry, while individual dog lovers will have to pay ₹25,000 each. The bench clarified that these contributions are not penalties but will be used for the welfare of stray dogs. The money collected will go to municipal bodies to fund facilities like vaccination drives, shelters, and care programmes.

The judges also revisited their earlier order which had required stray dogs to be moved into shelters. The new ruling says that dogs which have been sterilised, vaccinated, and de wormed must be released back into their original neighbourhoods. Only dogs found to be rabid or dangerously aggressive will remain in shelters.

On feeding practices, the court has taken a tough stand. Street feeding has been banned, but local bodies are now required to set up designated feeding zones in every ward. These areas will carry signboards, and helplines will be introduced so citizens can report violations. The court believes this move will reduce both conflicts between residents and stray dogs, and fights among neighbours over feeding issues.

Delhi has now been expanded to the entire country. The Supreme Court has ordered all states and Union Territories to involve their Animal Husbandry Departments and help create a national policy for stray dog management. At the same time, similar cases pending in different High Courts will now be brought directly under the Supreme Court’s supervision.

Animal welfare voices have welcomed the ruling. Senior leaders like Maneka Gandhi have described the judgment as “scientific,” noting that it balances compassion with public safety. However, they also pointed out the need for clearer definitions particularly on how “aggressive” dogs will be identified and who will take responsibility for that decision.

This order marks a turning point in India’s long and heated debate over stray dogs. By combining welfare measures with structured rules for public safety, the Supreme Court has attempted to create a model that protects both people and animals.