Supreme Court orders immediate capture, sterilisation and permanent sheltering of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR

PTC Web Desk: In a decisive move to tackle the growing menace of stray dog bites and rabies, the Supreme Court on Monday directed civic bodies across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to immediately capture, sterilise, and permanently relocate stray dogs to shelters. "The order must be carried out without delay or compromise," stated the Supreme Court. 

A Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan made it clear that any individual or organisation obstructing the process would face strict action. “This is a serious situation. There should not be any compromise in undertaking this exercise. Infants and young children should not, at any cost, fall prey to rabies. The action should inspire confidence that people can move freely without fear,” the court said.

The Judges directed the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to prioritise picking up stray dogs from all localities, starting with vulnerable areas. They also suggested creating a special force, if needed, to expedite the process. “No sentiments of any nature can be involved — this is for the people at large,” the bench observed.

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter in late July after a news report highlighted an alarming rise in rabies cases and deaths, particularly among children and the elderly, due to stray dog bites in and around Delhi. The court had earlier termed the situation “deeply disturbing” and criticised the failure of civic bodies to control it.

Supreme Court’s 5-point action plan to curb stray dog menace:

1. The Delhi authorities must build dog shelters with adequate staff and CCTV monitoring within eight weeks. Once sterilised, the dogs must not be released back on the streets.
2. The authorities must start picking up at least 5,000 stray dogs within six weeks, beginning with high-risk areas, and take strict action against anyone interfering.
3. Civic bodies in Delhi, Noida and Gurugram must maintain daily records of captured dogs, ensuring none are released. Violations will invite stern penalties.
4. A dedicated helpline must be operational within one week to report dog bites or suspected rabies. Authorities must respond within four hours to capture and sterilise the dog permanently.
5. Authorities must submit a detailed report on the current stock and availability of rabies vaccines.

The court stressed that this initiative was not about harming animals but about protecting human life, especially children. “The order is not for our self-interest, but for the people at large,” the Bench said, urging quick and efficient execution of the directives.