Stray Dogs Allowed Back After Vaccination As Per New Supreme Court Order, Here’s What Is Prohibited!

The Supreme Court on Friday amended its previous ruling on the handling of stray dogs, introducing significant changes!

The Supreme Court on Friday amended its previous ruling on the handling of stray dogs, introducing significant changes to the way civic authorities should deal with the problem. According to the new guideline, dogs that are rounded up by the authorities need to be returned to their point of origin after they have been sterilised and vaccinated. Only rabid dogs or those with threatening levels of aggression will be retained.

This is a departure from the court’s August 11 order, which had banned outright the release of strays following their capture. Authorities had then also been notified of contempt in case the order was not complied with. A three-judge bench consisting of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria also ruled that the case would not be confined to the Delhi-NCR area but would be considered a national issue now. Notices have been issued to all states and union territories, and many pending cases in the high courts of India would be transferred to the Supreme Court so that a country-wide uniform policy could be formulated.

The bench reminded municipal authorities in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad to proceed with mass capture of stray dogs and establish appropriate shelters or dog pounds. Follow-up reports on such establishments should be submitted before the bench in due course.

Another significant modification made by the court is related to the feeding of strays. The bench agreed that feeding was necessary but made it explicit that nobody would be permitted to feed dogs on public spaces like roads, markets, or parks. Instead, civic bodies will have to provide special feeding places in each ward. Any contravention of this order, the judges cautioned, may invite legal action.

Also Read: Chief Justice Of India Reacts To SC’s Verdict On Stray Dogs In Delhi, Gives Some Hope!

Furthermore, municipal officials have been directed to set up helpline numbers where citizens can register the violation or any related issues. The issue will keep being heard, with the court seeking to develop a unified, national scheme to ensure public safety, animal welfare, and civic responsibility.

Also Read: All We Know About Supreme Court’s Verdict On Stray Dogs In Delhi

First Published: August 22, 2025 12:11 PM