During the proceedings, amicus curiae and senior advocate Gaurav Agarwal suggested that sterilisation alone was not a sufficient solution, advocating for the creation of dedicated dog shelters along with infrastructure such as dog vans. Justice Pardiwala stressed that vulnerable localities should be made completely free of stray dogs to ensure safety for children and the elderly.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that land had been earmarked for shelters in Delhi, but a stay order from the High Court, sought by animal rights activists, was stalling the process. The bench rejected proposals to release sterilised dogs back into society, warning that safety must take precedence over sentiment.
The court’s order directed the NCT of Delhi, MCD, NDMC, and municipal bodies in Noida and Gurugram to:
-
Establish shelters within eight weeks and start with at least 5,000 stray dogs in the first six weeks.
-
Maintain CCTV-monitored facilities where detained dogs are not released.
-
Keep daily records of captured strays.
-
Launch a 24/7 helpline within a week to respond to dog bite complaints and capture offending animals within four hours.
-
Ensure adequate rabies vaccine availability and publish stock details.
The bench warned that any resistance from individuals or organisations to these measures would invite contempt proceedings. The matter will be reviewed in the next hearing based on compliance reports.
