The stray dog menace in Delhi-NCR has now caught the attention of the Supreme Court. The situation has worsened to the point where, in 2024 alone, more than 3.7 million dog bite cases were reported, with over 25,000 of them in Delhi alone. Small children, the elderly, and the homeless are the most frequent victims. Without timely treatment, rabies is almost always fatal. In this context, the Supreme Court has issued strict and immediate orders.
The court made it clear that all municipal bodies — from Delhi to Faridabad — must launch a capture drive immediately, starting from the most sensitive areas. It has also ordered that within eight weeks, shelter homes must be set up, CCTV cameras installed, and medical care ensured. Any captured dog will not be released back on the streets under any circumstances. The three-judge bench announced this decision, with a review scheduled after four weeks.
10 Key Highlights of the Supreme Court Order
1. Crisis for Both Humans and Dogs:
The court described the situation as extremely serious. More than 3.7 million dog bite cases in a single year are a clear alarm bell. The highest risk is for small children, the elderly, and the poor homeless population. If rabies spreads and vaccines are delayed, survival is nearly impossible.
2. Immediate Capture of Stray Dogs:
Delhi, MCD, NDMC, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad have been ordered to immediately begin capturing stray dogs, prioritizing areas with higher attack rates. Special teams will be formed if necessary.
3. Absolute Ban on Returning Dogs to the Streets:
The court warned that once a dog is captured, it must never be released back on the streets. Any official found violating this will face strict action.
4. Shelter Homes Within Eight Weeks:
All NCR cities must set up shelter homes or dog pounds within eight weeks. These must have adequate space, trained staff, veterinary facilities, and CCTV cameras to prevent illegal releases.
5. Humane Treatment in Shelters:
No cruelty should be inflicted on dogs. They must be protected from overcrowding, given timely food and treatment, with sick or weak dogs kept separately. At least two responsible staff members must be present at all times.
6. Adoption Allowed but With Strict Conditions:
Dogs can be adopted, but under strict rules. Once adopted, they cannot be abandoned back onto the streets. Rule violations will invite severe penalties.
7. Sterilization and Vaccination in Parallel:
Alongside shelter construction, sterilization, deworming, and vaccination drives must be carried out. Authorities can no longer claim they are waiting for facilities to be ready.
8. Helpline and Rapid Action:
A dedicated helpline will start within a week. Any dog bite complaint must be acted upon within four hours — the dog will be captured and the victim immediately taken to hospital.
9. Public Data on Rabies Vaccines:
The Delhi government must make public the availability, stock, and monthly usage of rabies vaccines. The court expressed concern over the shortage of genuine vaccines.
10. High Court Case Moved to Supreme Court:
A case pending in the Delhi High Court related to dog shelter construction will now be heard by the Supreme Court along with this case.
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