LexIN RE: “CITY HOUNDED BY STRAYS, KIDS PAY PRICE” versus
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[2025] 8 S.C.R. 1845 : 2025 INSC 977 In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price” (Suo Moto Writ Petition (C) No. 5 of 2025) 11 August 2025 [J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, JJ.] Issue for Consideration In the instant petition, the issue centres around the disturbing pattern of dog bites in the country. Whether immediate steps need be taken to take care of the menace of dog bites leading to rabies. Headnotes† Directions by the Supreme Court – Menace of dog bites – At the highest risk are the visually impaired persons, young children, elderly persons – Immediate action required – Directions issued: Held: (i) The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and authorities of NOIDA, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad directed to start picking up stray dogs from all localities, more particularly the vulnerable localities of the city as well as areas on the outskirts; (ii) Directions are issued, keeping in mind the larger public interest – Strictest of actions to be taken against any such resistance which may be offered; (iii) Appropriate Authorities are directed to immediately create dog shelters/pounds and report to this Court; (iv) The dog shelters/pounds should have sufficient personnel to sterilize, deworm and immunize stray dogs and also for looking after the stray dogs who would be detained there and not released on the streets/ colonies/ public places – The dog shelters would be monitored by CCTV to ensure that no dogs are released or taken out; (v) All Authorities to ensure that at no stage should these dogs be subjected to any mistreatment, cruelty or deplorable standards of care – Further, to ensure that there is no overcrowding at the dog shelters/pounds, and all measures shall be taken promptly for avoiding such a situation – That apart, timely medical care should be provided by trained veterinarians to all the stray dogs – (vi) The concerned authorities to decide the viability of implementing an adoption scheme in respect of the stray dogs that would 1846 [2025] 8 S.C.R. Supreme Court Reports be kept at the shelters/pounds; (vii) Since this is a progressive exercise i.e. the dog shelters would have to be increased over a period of time, authorities concerned shall begin by creating dog shelter(s) for say 5,000 dogs in the next six-eight weeks; (viii) All the Authorities, referred to above, are directed to maintain records of daily stray dogs captured as-well the number of dogs housed in shelters homes/dog pounds; (ix) Proper measures should be taken for earmarking the stray dogs who have been captured, for the purpose of later identification such that none of them are released back on to the streets; (x) The Authorities, referred to above, directed to create helpline number so that all cases of dog bites are immediately reported – Action must be taken to round up/pick up/catch the dog(s) within four hours from the complaint being received; (xi) The stray dogs shall be captured, sterilized, dewormed and immunized as required by Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 and shall not be released under any circumstances; (xii) The Authorities concerned shall inform the victim of the medical authorities so that the victim is treated immediately; (xiii) Availability of rabies vaccines is a major concern especially genuine vaccine – The Authorities concerned, more particularly, the Government of NCT of Delhi is directed to put detailed information about the places where such vaccines are available, full stock of the vaccines and the number of persons who report for treatment on monthly basis. [Para 11] Case Law Cited Parthima Devi v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi, W.P. (C) No. 67 of 2023 (High Court of Delhi) – referred to. List of Acts Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. List of Keywords Dog bites; Visually impaired persons; Young children; Elderly persons; Picking up of stray dogs; Larger Public Interest; Dog shelters; Immunization of stray dogs; Trained veterinarians for dogs; Timely medical care for dogs; Adoption scheme for stray dogs; Record of stray dogs captured; Victim of dog bite; Rabies vaccines. [2025] 8 S.C.R. 1847 In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price” Case Arising From EXTRAORDINARY ORIGINAL JURISDICTION: Suo Moto Writ Petition (C) No. 5 of 2025 Under Article 32 of The Constitution of India Appearances for Parties By Courts Motion. Advs. f
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