Supreme Court Extends Stray Dog Management Rules From Delhi-NCR to Entire Country

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The Supreme Court has modified its earlier directive on stray dogs, extending it from Delhi-NCR to the entire country. The order requires that stray dogs be taken to shelters for vaccination and health checks before being released back into the same area they were picked up from.

Vaccination and Return Policy

According to the ruling, local authorities must ensure that stray dogs are properly vaccinated and sterilized. After these procedures, the animals will be returned to their original location. The court underlined that this approach aims to balance public safety concerns with animal welfare.

Feeding Ban in Public Places

In addition to the shelter order, the Supreme Court has banned the feeding of stray dogs in open public spaces. Feeding activities will now have to be carried out only in designated areas identified by local authorities. The court warned that violations of this order could lead to legal action. This measure, the bench noted, is necessary to prevent conflicts between stray dogs and citizens in residential and commercial areas.

Responsibility of Civic Authorities

The court made it clear that municipal corporations and local bodies will be directly responsible for implementing the order. Civic agencies must arrange shelters, set up vaccination drives, and mark feeding zones. The directive also empowers authorities to take strict action if individuals or organizations are found violating the feeding restrictions.

The decision is expected to have a major impact on how Indian cities and towns manage their stray dog populations. With the order now covering all states, civic bodies will need to scale up resources for shelters and vaccination programs. The court emphasized that its ruling aims to protect both citizens and animals, while ensuring proper regulation of stray dog management nationwide.