Supreme Court to Deliver Final Verdict Today on Relocation of Stray Dogs in Delhi-NCR

National News: The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on Friday on the issue of relocating stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This decision comes after weeks of debate, protests, and legal arguments that began with the court’s order on August 11.

What the August 11 Order Said

On August 11, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to ensure that all stray dogs were picked up from local areas and shifted to proper shelters. The court also asked authorities to create new shelters or dog pounds wherever needed and submit a progress report within eight weeks. To make the order effective, it warned of strict action against those obstructing officials during the relocation drive.

Nationwide Protests Followed

The order quickly drew sharp reactions from citizens, animal lovers, and welfare groups. Protest marches were held in several cities, with many saying that removing dogs from their natural surroundings was unfair and inhumane. Activists argued that stray dogs play an important role in communities and that the focus should instead be on sterilization and vaccination.

Case Heard by Special Bench

A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N. V. Anjaria later took up the matter for hearing. After listening to all sides on August 14, the bench reserved its verdict, which will now be delivered on August 22.

To raise awareness, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) announced that they would live-screen the judgment at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from 10 am onwards on Friday.

Court’s Observations on Authorities’ Failure

During hearings, the judges noted that the growing stray dog population was the result of poor governance. They said that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which require sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs, had not been properly followed in Delhi-NCR. According to the Court, if local bodies had implemented these rules effectively, the situation would not have escalated to this level.

Dog Bite Cases Highlighted

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government, presented data highlighting the seriousness of the issue. He said that in 2024 alone, India recorded 37.15 lakh dog bite cases, which comes to almost 10,000 incidents every day. He also cited World Health Organisation figures, which reported 305 deaths in India last year due to dog-bite-related infections.

Animal Rights Groups Seek Relief

At the same time, lawyers representing different animal welfare organizations urged the court to reconsider the August 11 directive. They said mass relocation of stray dogs could harm their survival and that community-level solutions, like sterilization and immunization, would be more effective and humane.

Verdict to Shape Future Policy

With arguments now complete, the final judgment will be crucial. It will not only decide the fate of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR but could also influence how state governments across India manage the balance between public safety and animal welfare.