In a significant shift from its earlier directive, the Supreme Court of India ruled on Friday that stray dogs in the National Capital Region (NCR) are to be sterilized, vaccinated, and dewormed before being released back into their original localities. This decision aligns with the newly established Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, and marks a move towards a more humane approach in managing the stray dog population.

The three-judge bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, revised an August 11 order that had mandated the confinement of all stray dogs to shelters. This previous order was criticized for being "too harsh" and impractical given the limited infrastructure available in India to house and care for such a large number of animals. In contrast, the current ruling specifies that only dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior or are infected with rabies should be kept in shelters.

To regulate the interaction between the public and strays, the court has introduced strict feeding regulations. Municipalities are now required to establish designated feeding zones within each ward and erect boards to inform the public. Feeding stray dogs on roads and other public places is prohibited, and legal actions are promised against violators. Additionally, municipal authorities are tasked with setting up helplines for reporting any infringements of these new rules.

The scope of the case has been broadened beyond the NCR, with all states and union territories now involved. The Supreme Court has taken over similar cases previously pending in various High Courts to establish a uniform national policy on this issue. Each authority is required to submit an affidavit detailing their available resources, including shelters, veterinarians, and transport facilities.

In an effort to support the infrastructure needed for effective stray dog management, the court has mandated that NGOs and individual dog lovers deposit significant funds—₹200,000 per NGO and ₹25,000 per individual. These funds will be used to enhance facilities for stray dog care. Furthermore, the court has opened avenues for the adoption of street dogs, which would then be tagged and must be permanently housed by the adopters.

This ruling comes after the initial order faced intense backlash from animal rights groups such as PETA India, which labeled the mass removal and confinement of stray dogs as "impractical, illogical, and illegal." Critics argued that such measures could disrupt ecological balance and cause undue suffering to the animals.

By revising its stance, the Supreme Court has emphasized that while the safety of citizens from dog attacks is crucial, any measures taken must also consider animal welfare and adhere to statutory and constitutional obligations. The interim order underlines the need for actions to be both proportionate and humane, setting the stage for continued discussions toward a comprehensive and balanced national policy on stray dog management.