In its revised ruling, the three-judge bench emphasized that non-aggressive and non-infected stray dogs should be vaccinated and sterilized before being released back to their original locations, rather than being confined in shelters. However, dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior or those infected with rabies must remain in shelters after immunization.
The court also instituted a ban on the public feeding of stray dogs, calling for designated feeding areas instead, amid concerns regarding health risks associated with rabies-borne dog bites. This concern was heightened following observations that Delhi’s stray dog population, estimated at around one million, contributes significantly to India's rabies mortality rate, ranking as the highest globally.
The initial order to round up stray dogs originated from a two-judge bench on August 11th amidst rising incidents of dog bites, and subsequently, calls for a more humane approach from numerous animal welfare groups. These groups argued that forcibly removing strays resulted in overcrowding in shelters and risks of culling.
In its latest decision, the Supreme Court has opened pathways for animal enthusiasts to adopt these dogs, although it reinforced that adopted strays are prohibited from returning to the streets. Additionally, the court warned against interference with its orders by animal rights organizations and indicated it would establish a unified national policy regarding stray dogs, taking into account similar issues arising in various states across the country.
The court also instituted a ban on the public feeding of stray dogs, calling for designated feeding areas instead, amid concerns regarding health risks associated with rabies-borne dog bites. This concern was heightened following observations that Delhi’s stray dog population, estimated at around one million, contributes significantly to India's rabies mortality rate, ranking as the highest globally.
The initial order to round up stray dogs originated from a two-judge bench on August 11th amidst rising incidents of dog bites, and subsequently, calls for a more humane approach from numerous animal welfare groups. These groups argued that forcibly removing strays resulted in overcrowding in shelters and risks of culling.
In its latest decision, the Supreme Court has opened pathways for animal enthusiasts to adopt these dogs, although it reinforced that adopted strays are prohibited from returning to the streets. Additionally, the court warned against interference with its orders by animal rights organizations and indicated it would establish a unified national policy regarding stray dogs, taking into account similar issues arising in various states across the country.
