The Supreme Court has ruled that feeding stray dogs on streets and in public places is illegal, directing that such feeding must be restricted to dedicated spaces created in each municipal ward. Authorities have been instructed to immediately set up these feeding zones, with notice boards mentioning that stray dogs are to be fed only in such designated areas.
A three-judge bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N.V. Anjaria issued the order while modifying an earlier August 11 directive that had called for relocating stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters. The bench clarified that dogs picked up for vaccination or sterilisation must be released back to the same location, except those infected or suspected to be infected with rabies, or those showing aggressive behaviour.
The Court emphasised that unregulated feeding on roads leads to untoward incidents and inconveniences citizens. It stated, “Under no condition shall the feeding of stray dogs on the streets be permitted. Persons violating this order shall be proceeded against under the law.”
Importantly, the Court expanded the scope of its directions beyond Delhi-NCR and extended them pan-India. All States and Union Territories, along with the Secretaries of Animal Husbandry Departments, Secretaries of local bodies, and Municipal Corporations, have been impleaded to ensure strict compliance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.