Following the Supreme Court ruling, Delhi is gearing up for a major drive to sterilise and vaccinate stray dogs. Development Minister Kapil Mishra is spearheading the initiative, with 24 government veterinary clinics set up as special centres for the project. The Supreme Court has modified its order, directing that stray dogs be moved to shelters only after they have received proper vaccination and sterilisation. According to the latest directive from the Apex court, the authorities have been directed that these dogs be returned to the area from where they were picked up after sterilisation, deworming, and vaccination, in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.
The Program
With around 800,000 stray dogs in the city (based on a 2016 count), the program will follow clear guidelines and use proper equipment to ensure safe sterilisation and vaccination. The government is also studying how other cities, such as Lucknow, manage similar programs and plans to collaborate with private veterinarians, NGOs, and volunteers. Additionally, they aim to improve data tracking to better monitor the progress of the initiative.
Soon, the government will be appointing a consultant to analyse veterinary hospitals and clinics that can be converted for the sterilisation programme.
The government is also planning to come up with a new policy, with guidelines and a standard operating procedure (SOP), for the initiative. The government plans to involve private veterinary clinics, NGOs, and animal lovers in the mass sterilisation campaign. Officials said that private veterinary hospitals or clinics equipped with the necessary pre- and post-care facilities for sterilisation will also be included in the program. Minister Kapil Mishra is scheduled to meet with these private hospitals today to discuss the initiative, according to officials.
Supreme Court Order
The Supreme Court has issued a major ruling on stray dog management, revising its August 11 order from a two-judge bench. A four-judge bench now directs that captured stray dogs must be sterilised, dewormed, and immunised, then returned to their original location, except for dogs infected or suspected of having rabies or showing aggressive behaviour. The court also specified guidelines for feeding stray dogs and handling interference by dog lovers or associations in the removal of aggressive dogs from public areas. Fines ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹2 lakh have been set for violations of the order. What if You feed dogs on the streets? Read On..
Who Will Be Fined?
The Supreme Court has directed that every individual dog lover who approached the court must deposit ₹25,000, while each NGO must deposit ₹2 lakh. Those who fail to pay will not be allowed to participate in the case any further. The court said the money collected will be used by municipal bodies to create infrastructure and facilities for stray dogs. The top court also said that the animal lovers shall be free to move an application to the concerned municipal bodies for the adoption of street dogs. Later after the identification of dogs shall be tagged and given to the applicant. The order further states that It shall be the responsibility of the applicants to ensure that the adopted dogs do not return to the streets.
#WATCH | Over SC order on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, Supreme Court lawyer and petitioner Nanita Sharma says, “This is a balanced order. The court has involved all states in this case. All matters regarding dog issues pending in all courts in all states will be brought under one.… pic.twitter.com/4fm0VtsLdX
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2025
