The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on pleas challenging its August 11 directive to permanently relocate street dogs to shelters in Delhi-NCR.
The special bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, however, refused to stay the order, which has elicited widespread criticism from animal advocates and a large section of the society.
Goa has set up a task force to deal with stray dogs. This comes after the Supreme Court ordered removal of over 10 lakh stray dogs from Delhi and nearby areas. The task force will find areas with high dog numbers and suggest action to prevent attacks.#goa #supremecourt… pic.twitter.com/rY64UZc0JP
— THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) August 13, 2025
During the hearing, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta explained the alarming situation the stray dog menace has created in the capital city.
WHO data shows 305 deaths a year. Most children are under age group of 15. Nobody is an animal hater...Dogs do not have to be killed...they have to be separated. Parents cannot send children out to play. Young girls are mutilated,” he said, reported the Bar and Bench.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for NGO Project Kindness, sought a stay on the August 11 order, saying the municipal corporations have not built any shelter homes for the canines.
“All authorities directed to pick up dogs...this direction has to be stayed. What will happen? They will be culled...dogs are kept together...food is thrown, and then they attack each other...This cannot be permitted,” Sibal said.
After hearing both sides, the bench reserved its order. Justice Nath observed that though Parliament frames rules and laws, they are not being implemented properly.
“On one hand, humans are suffering, and on the other hand, the animal lovers are here. Have some responsibility...all those who have filed interventions have to file affidavits and furnish evidence. All of you," he said.
VIDEO | Lucknow: Responding to the Supreme Court’s directive to move stray dogs to shelter homes, former Co-op Member of AWBI Kamna Pandey says, “…I hope the CJI will consider the practical implications. When dogs are removed from the streets, what will be the impact? In 1999,… pic.twitter.com/XtsGiiWt9U
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 13, 2025
On August 11, a bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan issued an order to remove all the stray dogs from the streets and relocate them to shelters "at the earliest".
The bench also said dog shelters will have to be augmented over time and directed Delhi authorities to start with creating shelters of around 5,000 canines within six to eight weeks.
The order elicited sharp criticism, following which Chief Justice B.R. Gavai on Wednesday withdrew the case from the earlier bench and posted it for hearing on Thursday before a new bench.
