SC’s Nationwide Directions for managing Stray Dogs

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court modifies and clarifies earlier judgments from August 2025, balancing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 with urgent public-safety concerns after media reports of attacks.

Key Highlights

1. August 11, 2025 Order – The ‘No-Release’ Mandate
   1. A two-judge Bench took suo motu cognisance after a report titled “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price.”
   2. Ordered immediate removal of stray dogs from public spaces in Delhi-NCR, prohibiting their release back.
   3. Directed creation of dog shelters (capacity 5,000) in 6–8 weeks under humane conditions.
   4. Justified as necessary for public safety, especially for infants and the elderly vulnerable to rabies.
2. August 22, 2025 Order – Restoring Legal Procedure
   1. A three-judge Bench modified the previous ‘no-release’ directive.
   2. Reinstated the ABC Rules’ ‘capture–sterilise–vaccinate–return’ policy to ensure humane management.
   3. However, rabid or aggressive dogs were to be kept permanently in shelters.
   4. Feeding in streets/public places was banned; instead, designated feeding zones were to be established in each municipal ward.
3. Supreme Court’s New Nationwide Directive (November 7, 2025)
   1. A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria issued an all-India order for removal of stray dogs from sensitive public areas (eg: educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and railway stations) to a designated shelter.
   2. Removal of stray dogs from these public places will be done in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
   3. Each identified institution must appoint a nodal officer to maintain hygiene and prevent stray dog entry.
4. Expansion to All of India
   1. The SC made the case nationwide, implementing in all the States and UTs.
   2. Ordered transfer of similar High Court cases to itself for unified monitoring.

Existing Legal and Policy Framework

1. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, is the foundational animal rights legislation aimed at preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.
2. Under this Act, the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, were introduced mandating humane capture, sterilization, immunization, and release of stray dogs to their original location.
3. Euthanasia is allowed only if a dog is critically ill, fatally injured, or rabid.
4. Government policy has consistently supported managing stray dog populations through sterilization and immunization.

Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023

1. The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 are framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 to humanely manage stray dog populations in India.
2. The rules follow the “Capture–Sterilise–Vaccinate–Release” (CSVR) method — stray dogs are caught, sterilised to prevent breeding, vaccinated (mainly against rabies), and then released back into the same area.
3. They make local municipal bodies responsible for implementing these activities with help from Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs).
4. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) oversees and monitors the implementation of the rules.
5. The rules mandate designated feeding spots for community dogs to avoid conflict and ensure hygiene.
6. Rabid or aggressive dogs must be kept in shelters and not released back onto the streets.
7. The aim is to control population growth, prevent rabies, and ensure humane treatment of animals rather than mass culling or relocation.

Implications

1. Enhanced public safety: The orders aim to reduce dog-bite incidents and the risk of rabies, especially near vulnerable populations such as children and patients.
2. Pan-India uniformity: By making the directives applicable nationwide, the Court seeks to harmonise stray-dog management across States and UTs.
3. Administrative responsibility: Municipal bodies now face a clear legal duty to create and manage shelters, and institutions must designate nodal officers to enforce compliance.
4. Stronger animal-welfare safeguards: Sterilisation, vaccination, and regulated shelters align management with humane principles, while exceptions protect public health.
5. Judicial oversight of civic governance: The Supreme Court’s active supervision may accelerate action but also raises questions about long-term administrative capacity and funding.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s directives attempt to balance public safety and animal welfare by combining immediate removal from sensitive sites with humane ABC procedures and sheltering of rabid/aggressive animals. Successful implementation will depend on state capacity, funding, stakeholder cooperation, and robust monitoring.