Shreya Gupta
On 22nd August, 2025, the Supreme Court laid down strict directions regarding the feeding of stray dogs in public areas. The Court held that feeding stray dogs on streets, roads, and other public spaces is illegal and must be discontinued to prevent inconvenience and potential harm to the general public.
Recognizing reports of untoward incidents caused by unregulated feeding, the Court directed municipal authorities across the country to establish dedicated feeding zones in each ward, where citizens can feed stray dogs in a regulated and safe manner.
These feeding spaces must be created after assessing the stray dog population in the area and should be clearly marked with notice boards informing the public of the designated spots. Importantly, the Court also modified an earlier order of 11th August, which had called for the relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters.
Instead, the current three-judge bench, comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria, clarified that after vaccination and sterilisation, stray dogs must be released back to the same location from where they were picked up, except in cases where they are rabid, suspected to be infected, or display aggressive behaviour. This ensures that the ecological balance of local dog populations is maintained while also addressing public safety concerns.
The Court further mandated that anyone found feeding stray dogs outside the designated feeding areas will face legal consequences under the relevant law. Overall, the judgment seeks to strike a balance between animal welfare and public safety, by promoting structured and humane feeding practices while eliminating practices that create difficulties for citizens.
Bench: Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria
Case Title: IN RE: ‘CITY HOUNDED BY STRAYS, KIDS PAY PRICE’
Case Number: SMW(C) No. 5/2025
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