Supreme Court’s Suo Motu Case on Stray Dogs: A Timeline of Judicial Action

Newspaper Headline Sparks Judicial Intervention

On 28 July 2025, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance of a disturbing report published in the Times of India titled “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price”. The article presented alarming data on the rising menace of stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). It highlighted how children, infants, and elderly citizens had become frequent victims of dog bites, many leading to rabies infections. The report noted that nearly 20,000 dog bite cases occur daily across India, with around 2,000 cases in Delhi alone.

The Court reacted with deep concern. It observed that the situation revealed a systemic failure of authorities for over two decades in addressing the issue of stray dogs. The Justices remarked that public streets should not be spaces of vulnerability, especially for children, the elderly, and the visually impaired. The Court therefore directed the Registry to register the matter as a Suo Motu Writ Petition titled In re. City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price. Notices were issued to the Government of NCT of Delhi and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for response.

Data Highlights the Escalating Crisis

By the time the case was heard on 11 August 2025, the Court had before it alarming figures from the Press Information Bureau. In 2024, there were 37, 15,713 reported dog bite cases nationwide, with 25,201 in Delhi alone. January 2025 itself saw 3,196 cases in the capital, reflecting a 50% rise compared to the previous year.

The Court emphasized that the problem of stray dogs could no longer be addressed casually or left to ad hoc measures. It underlined that children, visually impaired persons, and the homeless were among the most vulnerable groups. It expressed particular concern for those who sleep on the streets without access to medical care or rabies vaccines. At the same time, the Court clarified that while it respected the genuine compassion shown by many for stray dogs, the priority must remain public safety and human dignity.

Supreme Court Issues Comprehensive Directions

In its order of 11 August 2025, a two-Judge Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan issued extensive directions. The Court ordered the removal of stray dogs from the streets of Delhi and NCR to designated shelters and pounds. It directed the Government of NCT of Delhi, MCD, NDMC, NOIDA, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad authorities to immediately begin rounding up stray dogs, especially from vulnerable localities.

The Court mandated that new shelters for at least 5,000 dogs be created within six to eight weeks. Each shelter was to have adequate staff, veterinary care, food, and CCTV monitoring. Strict measures were laid down to prevent cruelty, overcrowding, or unauthorized release of dogs. The order also required every captured stray dog to be sterilized, immunized, and marked for traceability, ensuring no release back into public spaces.

To strengthen accountability, the Court directed the authorities to maintain daily records of captured stray dogs, set up a helpline for dog bite complaints, and ensure that offending dogs were captured within four hours. The Delhi Government was also asked to publish information on the availability of rabies vaccines and maintain monthly data on patients treated.

Transfer to Larger Bench amid Conflicting Orders

The directions issued on 11 August, however, raised concerns among lawyers who pointed out potential conflicts with previous Supreme Court and High Court orders on stray dogs. The matter was mentioned before the Chief Justice of India, who decided that the case should be heard by a three-Judge Bench.

Consequently, the suo motu matter was transferred from the two-Judge Bench to a special Bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N.V. Anjaria. This development signaled the Court’s recognition that the issue of stray dogs involves both public health and animal welfare, requiring broader judicial consideration and consistency with earlier rulings.

Special Bench Reserves Order on Stay Pleas

On 14 August 2025, the newly constituted three-Judge Bench heard arguments on the pleas seeking a stay of the earlier directions. Several petitioners argued that an absolute ban on releasing stray dogs back onto the streets conflicted with established precedents that emphasized a balance between public safety and animal rights. Others defended the strict measures, stressing that the daily toll of dog bites and rabies deaths had reached crisis proportions in Delhi NCR.

After hearing the submissions, the Bench reserved its order. The case now stands at a crucial juncture. On one side lies the urgent need to safeguard citizens from the menace of stray dogs; on the other is the constitutional duty to ensure humane treatment of animals. The reserved order is expected to clarify how these competing concerns will be reconciled in law.