New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday referred the matter related to the removal of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets to a three-judge bench, which will take up the hearing on August 14.
Earlier, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the stray dog issue. The bench on August 11 passed directions to relocate the stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to dog shelters.
The two-judge bench directed authorities to capture, sterilize, vaccinate and permanently relocate all stray dogs from the streets to shelters within six to eight weeks. The order prohibited releasing dogs back into public spaces and warned of action against those obstructing the process.
The directive had triggered a sharp backlash from animal rights groups and political leaders. Rahul Gandhi called the order “cruel and inhumane,” urging a shift towards large-scale sterilization, vaccination and community care instead of blanket removal. PETA India also termed the ruling “impractical, illogical and illegal,” citing existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which do not allow mass relocation.
Animal welfare organisations have flagged capacity issues, stating that existing shelters are already overcrowded and cannot house thousands of dogs long-term. Experts also warned of health and ecological risks linked to mass removal of street dogs.
The original order was passed after the court took suo motu cognizance of a surge in dog-bite cases, including the death of a six-year-old girl. The larger bench will now examine the matter in detail on Wednesday.
What happened in the SC today?
The stray dog issue was mentioned twice on Wednesday before the Chief Justice of India. CJI BR Gavai said he would look into the matter, live law reported. In the morning, a counsel mentioned that the previous order passed by the two-judge bench was in conflict with an order passed by another bench last year.
In the evening, another lawyer mentioned before the CJI that dogs were being picked up from parts of Delhi even though the order has not been uploaded, the live law reported.