Maneka Gandhi welcomes Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs, demands clarity on “aggressive dogs,” and hails Rs 2,500 crore ABC fund to strengthen sterilisation, vaccination, and animal welfare programs nationwide.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Friday modified its earlier order on the removal of stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR. The new ruling strikes a balance between animal welfare and public safety, ensuring that strays are not permanently displaced while also addressing public concerns about aggressive and rabies-infected dogs.
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Maneka Gandhi hailed the order as a “scientific judgment” and praised the emphasis on sterilisation and designated feeding areas. However, she urged the Supreme Court to clearly define what constitutes an “aggressive dog” to prevent misuse of the clause by individuals who may not be dog-friendly. She further explained that relocation itself often makes dogs aggressive, whereas dogs returned to their familiar environment remain calm.
“We will try for a verdict defining who aggressive dogs are. Per the law, a committee is formed on the matter, and that defines what kind of behaviour is categorised as aggressive,”
she explained.
The BJP leader pointed out that many people who are not dog-friendly might misuse the judgment’s clause by branding a dog as aggressive simply to have it confined.
“In case you fall on the dog and it bites you, but there was no such incident before or after that, so would the dog be categorised as aggressive, or would you be at fault. A judgment on this will come in eight weeks.”
She said.
Highlights of the Supreme Court’s Judgment
- Release After Sterilisation and Immunisation:
Stray dogs will now be sterilised, vaccinated, and then released back into the same area they were picked up. This is expected to help control the stray dog population scientifically without causing territorial aggression. - Exclusion of Rabid and Aggressive Dogs:
Dogs infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour will not be released back onto the streets. They will be kept in shelters or separate facilities to ensure public safety. - Designated Feeding Areas:
The court directed municipal authorities to set up proper feeding zones for stray dogs within each ward. Feeding on the streets will not be allowed. Civic bodies are required to install signboards near these spaces, and violators feeding dogs outside such areas may face legal consequences. - Pan-India Impact:
Expanding the scope of its order, the Supreme Court impleaded all states and Union Territories, transferring to itself all similar cases pending before various High Courts. This step is aimed at creating a uniform national policy for stray dog management. - Adoption of Stray Dogs:
The court noted that animal lovers can approach municipal authorities for the adoption of stray dogs, thereby promoting responsible animal care. - Financial Allocation for Animal Birth Control (ABC):
Animal rights activist and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi welcomed the ruling, highlighting that for the first time in 25 years, the government has allocated Rs 2,500 crore for sterilisation and immunisation programs under ABC.
Supreme Court lawyer and petitioner Nanita Sharma described the verdict as a “balanced order”, noting that it ensures a nationwide uniformity in dealing with stray dog issues while protecting both public safety and animal rights. Petitioner Nanita Sharma described the verdict as a “balanced order,” noting that it ensures a nationwide uniformity in dealing with stray dog issues while protecting both public safety and animal rights.
CASE TITLE:
IN RE: CITY HOUNDED BY STRAYS, KIDS PAY PRICE
SMW(C) No. 5/2025
READ ORIGINAL ORDER WHICH CREATED HAVOC AROUND COUNTRY:
READ FINAL ORDER OF TODAY (AUG 22):
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