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Government of Delhi Ordered to House Stray Dogs in Shelters, Issues Penalties for Opposition to Decision

City Administration Committed to Swift Execution of Court Orders, as Asserted by Minister Kapil Mishra.

Government of Delhi Ordered to House Stray Dogs in Shelters, Faces Penalties for Opposition
Government of Delhi Ordered to House Stray Dogs in Shelters, Faces Penalties for Opposition

Government of Delhi Ordered to House Stray Dogs in Shelters, Issues Penalties for Opposition to Decision

Supreme Court Orders Swift Action to Address Delhi's Stray Dog Problem

The Supreme Court of India has issued a time-bound order on August 11, 2025, directing authorities in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to capture and relocate stray dogs from public spaces into specially created shelters and pounds[1][2]. The order aims to tackle the menace of dog bite incidents in the national capital, particularly after a tragic case of a child who died of rabies contracted from stray dog bites[2].

The order requires the establishment of dog shelters capable of accommodating around 5,000 stray dogs, equipped with personnel to sterilize and immunize the animals to control the population and reduce disease transmission risks[1]. Authorities were given an eight-week deadline to implement the order comprehensively[2].

Key elements of the Supreme Court order include:

  • Immediate capture of stray dogs across all localities in Delhi and NCR.
  • Creation of shelters/pounds with CCTV monitoring for housing the dogs safely, ensuring they are not released again into public spaces[1][3].
  • Deployment of sufficient staff for sterilization and immunization (vaccination) programs within the shelters[1].
  • Establishment of helplines and mechanisms for reporting and handling issues related to stray dogs (implied as part of implementation to ensure public safety and monitoring, although specific details on the helpline are less documented in current sources).
  • Strict warning about contempt action against anyone obstructing the stray dog removal process, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of the directive[1].

Development Minister Kapil Mishra has assured that the city government will implement the court's directions in a time-bound manner[6]. The Delhi government's animal department, under the leadership of CM Rekha Gupta, will work with all agencies to study and implement the court's order[7].

However, this directive has sparked widespread protests and opposition from animal rights activists and sections of the public who argue the measures are inhumane and question the feasibility of sheltering thousands of stray dogs given the current lack of adequate infrastructure[4][5]. Critics emphasize that sterilization and vaccination at the community level, rather than mass relocation, is a more humane and effective approach to managing the stray dog population[4].

The Supreme Court has reiterated that stray dogs should be kept at dog shelters and not be released on streets, colonies, or public places[1]. The apex court has also mentioned that if any person or organization comes in the way of picking up of stray dogs by the authorities, strict action will be taken against them[1].

The court order will be implemented with special attention paid to the proper welfare of the stray animals[8]. The Supreme Court bench comprises of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan[9]. The court has called the stray dog menace in Delhi as "extremely grim"[2].

References:

  1. The Hindu
  2. NDTV
  3. India Today
  4. The Wire
  5. Times of India
  6. Business Standard
  7. Firstpost
  8. Live Law
  9. Bar and Bench
  10. The Supreme Court order mandates the establishment of health-and-wellness facilities within the dog shelters, ensuring that the captured stray dogs receive proper care and Medical treatment.
  11. To address the health concerns arising from the stray dog menace in Delhi, the order includes the introduction of science-based methods, such as sterilization and vaccination programs, to control the population and eliminate disease transmission risks.

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