SC Refuses Urgent Hearing in Stray Dog Case
The Supreme Court has refused to grant an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) recent notification to capture stray dogs across the city. The plea was mentioned before Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi, but the bench said it would not take up the matter on priority.
Earlier Court Directions
The case stems from an earlier order passed in August 2025, when a two-judge bench directed Delhi and nearby civic authorities to catch stray dogs, particularly in vulnerable localities. The order required them to shift the dogs to dedicated shelters within eight weeks. These shelters were to house up to 5,000 animals, with facilities for sterilisation, vaccination, CCTV monitoring, and a 24-hour helpline for dog bite cases. The court also made it clear that the animals should not be released back on the streets and warned of contempt action against any obstruction.
Three-Judge Bench Hearing
Following multiple petitions, the matter was moved to a larger bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath. On August 14, the bench heard arguments from both civic authorities and animal welfare groups. While the bench reserved its order, it refused to stay the earlier directions, keeping them effective. The fresh plea argued that the MCD’s notification was premature since the case outcome is still pending.
Court Criticism of Civic Inaction
During hearings, the Supreme Court criticized local bodies for their failure to enforce animal birth control rules and for neglecting the creation of adequate shelters. The bench observed that civic inaction has worsened the stray dog menace, leading to a surge in dog bite incidents and rising concerns about public health. At the same time, the judges underlined that any solution must balance public safety with humane treatment of animals.
