Tezzbuzz Desk- Today the Supreme Court has given an important decision on the ongoing legal debate regarding stray dogs in the country. The top court made it clear that the old order of 2025 to remove stray dogs will remain in force and no changes will be made in it. Along with this, the court rejected the applications of all the petitioners and the Animal Welfare Board related to animal welfare.
This decision was given by the bench of Justice Vikramnath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria. The court reiterated in its order that all states and concerned agencies will have to follow the instructions given earlier regarding the management of stray dogs.
Hearing on this issue was going on in the Supreme Court for the last several months. After hearing the arguments of all the parties on January 29, the court had reserved its decision and all the parties were asked to submit written arguments within a week.
The matter became more serious when reports of stray dog attacks and increasing cases of rabies emerged from different parts of the country. After this, several PILs were filed demanding that strict control should be imposed on the increasing number of stray dogs on the roads and the safety of citizens should be ensured.
In August last year, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had directed Delhi-NCR officials to catch stray dogs from the streets and send them to shelter homes. The court had also said that after sterilization and vaccination, the dogs will not be released on the streets again.
Apart from this, a warning was also given of action against those who do not follow this order or create obstacles.
In November 2025, the Supreme Court expanded the scope of its order and directed all states and the National Highway Authority to remove stray dogs from public places like schools, colleges, hospitals, railway stations, bus stands and sports grounds.
Besides, instructions were also given to create boundaries around educational and health institutions so that dogs cannot come inside and they are not released in those areas again.
This whole matter has given rise to a big debate in the country. On one hand, people are demanding civil defense and strict action on increasing dog attacks, while on the other hand, animal rights activists are advocating prevention of cruelty and scientific sterilization and care.
After today’s decision of the Supreme Court, it has now become clear that for the time being only the Order 2025 will remain in force and the policy of management of stray dogs across the country will move forward on this basis.
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