metro india news  I new delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday modified its earlier direction prohibiting the release of vaccinated stray dogs from pounds in Delhi-NCR, calling it "too harsh." The court ordered that dogs be released after sterilisation, deworming, and vaccination.

A special three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath also expanded the scope of the case, directing that all states and union territories be made parties. It said all similar cases pending in high courts would be transferred to the Supreme Court for a unified national policy.

The court said municipal authorities must still comply with the August 11 direction to pick up strays from Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram and create dog shelters. However, it kept in abeyance the earlier directive for permanent relocation of strays.

“The dogs picked up shall be sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated, and released back to the same area,” said the bench, which also included Justices Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria. The exception would be dogs infected or suspected to be infected with rabies, or those displaying aggression.

Before impounding all strays, the court said municipal infrastructure and staffing must be assessed. A blanket direction without assessing capacity could be impossible to implement.

Emphasising a holistic approach, the court modified its August 11 order, stating that banning the release of treated dogs was excessive. It directed civic bodies to establish dedicated feeding areas in every ward, based on stray dog population density.

Feeding on streets will no longer be allowed. "Gantries/notice boards shall be placed near such areas. Under no condition shall feeding of stray dogs on the streets be permitted,” the court said. Violators will face punishment.

The court cited reports of attacks linked to unregulated feeding and said the practice caused “great difficulties for the common man.” Civic bodies must also set up helplines to report violations. Upon receiving complaints, they must act against individuals or organisations violating the orders.

“No individual or organisation shall obstruct the implementation of these directions,” the court added. Violators hindering officials will face prosecution. Each individual dog lover and NGO that approached the court must deposit Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakh, respectively, within seven days, or be barred from further participation. The funds will help build infrastructure under municipal bodies.

Authorities must file affidavits detailing available resources for compliance with Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. Animal lovers can apply to adopt street dogs and must ensure adopted dogs do not return to the streets. The matter, initiated suo motu in July following media reports on rabies cases among children, was posted for further hearing in eight weeks.