New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed that all stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) be removed from residential areas and moved to “secure shelters”. It also warned of the “strictest action” against any organisation or individual who blocks the exercise.
The order follows a rise in dog bite incidents and rabies-related deaths. Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan took up the matter after a news report highlighted the growing threat.
“This is in the public interest. No sentiments should interfere. Act at the earliest,” Justice Pardiwala told Amicus Curiae Gaurav Agarwala, instructing authorities to set aside rules, if necessary, to expedite the relocation.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said a site had been identified for the relocation, but the plan stalled after animal rights activists obtained a stay. The bench questioned whether such activists could undo the harm caused to rabies victims, stressing that streets must be made “absolutely free” of strays.
Suggestions to allow adoption of stray dogs were rejected, with concerns that some adopters might later abandon them. “No adoption will be allowed to stop removal,” the court ruled.
Municipal bodies in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram have been told to immediately create shelters with trained staff for handling, sterilisation and vaccination. CCTV coverage must ensure dogs do not escape, and a helpline will be set up for bite cases.
The apex court called the situation “grim” and urged urgent action, particularly in vulnerable areas. It also ordered the Delhi government to publish monthly rabies vaccine stock data and treatment figures.
According to Municipal Corporation of Delhi data, the national capital recorded 49 rabies cases and more than 35,000 animal bite incidents between January and June this year. According to World Health Organization, rabies claims about 60,000 lives annually, with India accounting for 36 per cent of global deaths.