Key Developments

• Immediate Relocation Directive: In early August 2025, the Supreme Court of India ordered the removal of all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi and its surrounding NCR (Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad) areas. The directive follows an alarming rise in dog bite incidents and rabies cases across the region.ndtv+1youtube

• Timeline and Scale: Authorities have been given just eight weeks to move over one million stray dogs into shelters. The court mandated that new shelters be constructed for at least 5,000 dogs within six to eight months and that a helpline be set up within a week to catch aggressive dogs promptly.youtube+1indianexpress

• Catalyst for Action: The court’s action was prompted by news reports such as the tragic death of a six-year-old girl in Delhi from rabies after a stray dog bite in June 2025.hindustantimes+1

Court’s Reasoning and Public Safety

• The court made clear that infants and children must be protected, with public safety taking precedence over sentiment or previous approaches, such as feeding strays in public spaces.indianexpress+1youtube

• The ruling cites the failure of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules to manage the stray dog population effectively, stating that India’s share of global rabies deaths remains unacceptably high.indianexpress

Reception and Criticism

• Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have largely welcomed the move as a step toward safer streets.ndtv

• Animal rights activists and experts have strongly criticized the plan, calling it “unscientific” and pointing out the severe lack of adequate shelters and resources for such large-scale relocation. They argue that the abrupt nature of the plan risks inhumane treatment for the dogs and reference global best practices in places like the Netherlands, Bhutan, and Singapore, which used gradual humane strategies rather than mass sweeps.youtube

• The top court faced criticism for not considering earlier orders that barred relocation and killing of stray dogs without due process. The Chief Justice has assured that the matter will be reviewed in light of concerns raised by animal activists about compassion and legality.timesofindia.indiatimes+1

Constitutional and Social Significance

• The ruling prioritizes the fundamental right to life and safety for India’s citizens, referencing Article 21 of the Constitution, which ensures a safe environment—one now considerably undermined by an unchecked stray population.indianexpress

• The court also threatened strict action (including contempt charges) against any organizations or individuals that obstruct the removal or relocation efforts.indianexpress

Context: National Stray Dog Menace

• Delhi’s stray dog population stands at over one million, more than double its 2009 levels. India reported 3.7 million dog bite cases nationally in 2024.youtubeindianexpress

• The decision is seen as a historic shift away from years of failed sterilization and birth control experiments that have not reduced dog bite or rabies rates meaningfully.indianexpress

In summary:
As of August 2025, the Supreme Court of India has ordered the complete relocation of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks—a move driven by escalating dog bite and rabies cases, and one that has sparked sharp debate over its feasibility, humaneness, and constitutional implications.