New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear the stray dogs case on October 27, with a three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria. The matter, originally confined to Delhi-NCR, has now been expanded to include all states and Union Territories. Four separate pleas related to the issue are also listed for hearing alongside the suo motu case.
On August 22, the apex court had modified its earlier directions regarding the release of vaccinated stray dogs from pounds in Delhi-NCR, calling the previous order “too harsh.” The court directed that stray dogs be released back into the same area after sterilisation, deworming, and vaccination. The relocation restrictions, however, do not apply to dogs infected with or suspected of having rabies, or those displaying aggression.
The Bench emphasized that municipal authorities must continue to comply with the August 11 directions, which require authorities in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram to pick up stray dogs and create dog shelters or pounds. Municipal authorities have also been asked to file affidavits with detailed statistics of resources such as dog pounds, veterinarians, dog-catching personnel, and specially modified vehicles and cages, to ensure compliance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
The apex court has impleaded all states and Union Territories to ensure uniform application of ABC Rules nationwide. The original suo motu case was initiated on July 28 after a media report highlighted the increasing instances of stray dog bites causing rabies, particularly among children in Delhi.
The August 11 order sparked widespread protests across the country, prompting further review by the Supreme Court. The upcoming hearing is expected to shape a “final national policy or decision” on the management of stray dogs.
