IN RE: “CITY HOUNDED BY STRAYS, KIDS PAY PRICE” versus

          [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
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    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. for the Respondent:
     Tushar Mehta, SG, Sidharth Luthra, Sr. Adv., Praveen Swarup,
     Rohit Swarup, Devesh Maurya, Ameet Singh, Ms. Purti Gupta,
     Ms. Henna George, Sunidhi Sah, Ms. Pooja Agarwal, Udian
     Sharma, Vishesh Sapra, Sahil Saraswat, Ms. Harsha Sadhwani,
     Ms. Supriya Juneja, Ms. Esha Dutta, Ms. Shaalini Agarwal, Karl
     P Rustomkhan, Parv Arora, Siddharth Pandey, Vivek Sharma, Dr.
     Vijay Kumar Sharma.

                Judgment / Order of the Supreme Court

                                  Order

1.   We heard Mr. Gaurav Agrawal, the learned Amicus appointed by this
     Court and Mr. Tushar Mehta, the learned Solicitor General appearing
     for the National Capital Region (NCR).
2.   The learned amicus has provided us with some very important
     information. He assisted us today to the best of his ability to enable
     us to proceed further in the matter. The learned Solicitor General
     also assisted us very ably and submitted that stern action needs
     to be taken to combat the situation. He further submitted that the
     Government of NCT of Delhi and all other authorities of the National
     Capital Region (NCR) shall make all possible endeavours to ensure
     that the menace of dog bites is taken care of at the earliest and
     appropriate action in the right direction is also taken at the earliest.
3.   What we have been able to gather after hearing both the learned
     counsel is that the situation is extremely grim. Immediate steps need
     be taken to take care of the menace of dog bites leading to rabies.
4.   In the course of the hearing today, the learned Amicus furnished us
     with some information. The same reads thus: -
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            “NOTE FOR HEARING ON 11th AUGUST, 2025
        1. On the website of Press Information Bureau, data of
        number of dog bites for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and
        2025 [January] have been published. In the year 2024,
        there were 37,15,713 reported dog bites in the country.
        In Delhi alone, there were 25,201 dog bites. In the month
        of January, 2025, in the city of Delhi, the number of dog
        bites were 3196. The cases of dog bites have increased
        over the last 3 years as per the table below. If figures of
        January, 2025 are any indication, the cases of dog bites
        are increased by 50%.
        Dog Bite cases reported by States/UTs at IDSP [from
        2022-2025]

                        2022        2023        2024        2025
                                                          (January)
             Delhi      6,691      17,874      25,210      3,196
             India    21,89,909   30,52,521   37,15,713   4,29,664

        2. Cases of dog bites are increasing because of the ever
        increasing population of stray dogs in our country. Dog bites
        causes immense pain and suffering to humans, especially
        to children, elderly and disabled persons. One has to
        thereafter undergo a very rigorous and timely process of
        taking multiple injections. If a person is not aware of the
        medical treatment or if the injections are not genuine, it
        would result in a very painful death. Sometimes, the person
        may not get necessary treatment in timely manner. The
        disease becomes incurable after 24 hours and results in
        a certain death. In a number of cases, stray dogs have
        attacked children, elderly persons and even adults, which
        have resulted in painful death to the victims at the spot
        [or soon thereafter].
        3. Stray dogs are also a cause of large number of road
        accidents, which cause injuries/ deaths of road users. Even
        if a person may not die of a dog bite, due to evasive action
        taken by him, he may fall down or hit another vehicle,
        resulting in death/injury.
[2025] 8 S.C.R.                                                                   1849

            In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price”


           4. Hence, the presence of stray dogs on our streets/ public
           places like airports, railway stations is a direct infringement
           of our Fundamental Rights under Articles 19(1)(d) & 21
           of the Constitution of India. There cannot be any quarrel
           with the proposition that our streets/ public places should
           be free from stray dogs.
           5. The Government of India’s response to remedy this
           infringement of our Fundamental Rights is manifested in
           Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules 2001, and recently [after
           repeal of the 2001 Rules] in the Animal Birth Control Rules,
           2023 [2023 Rules]. The said Rules have been framed in
           exercise of powers under Section 38(1) & (2) of Prevention
           of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
           6. These Rules broadly provide that: -
                a) The local authority would provide for manpower and
                infrastructure for capturing of stray dogs, sterilization
                and immunization and thereafter releasing the dogs at
                the very same place from where they were captured
                [Rule 11 of 2023 Rules]. Rule 11(19) is quoted herein
                below for ready reference: -
                      “ 11 . C a p t u r i n g o r s t e r i l i s a t i o n o r
                      immunisation or release: -
                                              - xxx -
                      (19) The dogs shall be released at the
                      same place or locality from where they
                      were captured and the date, time and
                      place of their release shall be recorded
                      after their complete recovery and the
                      representative of the local authority or
                      of the animal welfare organization shall
                      accompany the team at the time of release
                      and from time to time, the Board may
                      provide a suitable application for geo-
                      tagging the location of the dogs during
                      capture and release.”
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             b) Even if the dog has bitten somebody, he has to
             be captured and observed. If the dog is found not to
             have rabies, but some other diseases or is furious in
             nature, he has to be handed over to Animal Welfare
             Organization, who shall cure the diseases and release
             the dog after 10 days of observation. Rule 16(6) is
             quoted herein below for ready reference: -
                   “16 Resolution of Complaints regarding
                   dog bites or rabid dogs: -
                                      - xxx -
                   (6) If the dog is found not to have rabies
                   but some other disease or is furious in
                   nature then it would be handed over to
                   the Animal Welfare Organization who
                   shall take the necessary action to cure
                   and release the dog after ten days of
                   observation.”
             c) Rule 15 of the Rules provides for euthanasia of
             only incurably ill and mortally wounded dogs.
        7. These Rules are perhaps premised on the fact that if
        dogs are sterilized, there would be no further progeny
        and over time the stray dog population would (somehow)
        disappear. Further, if the dogs are immunized, they
        would not transmit rabies. There is some thought process
        that perhaps sterilization would reduce aggression and
        chances of dog bites may get reduced after sterilization.
        The increasing stray dog population and dog bites belie
        these assumptions.
        8. It is humbly submitted that the 2023 Rules, to the
        extent that they provide for release of dogs on the
        streets/ colonies/ public places, after capture, are violative
        of our Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Articles
        19(1)(d) and 21 of the Constitution. It is the duty of the
        Central Government, the State Government and the local
        authorities to ensure that the streets are free from stray
        dogs, so that no human being is subjected to the pain and
        suffering [or even death] which is occasioned by an assault
[2025] 8 S.C.R.                                                             1851

            In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price”


           by stray dog(s). There is absolutely no material to suggest
           that the sterilization would eliminate the chance of the dog
           biting. Putting the dog back on the street, where there is
           grave harm to us, is a direct violation of our fundamental
           rights to move freely without the fear of a dog bite/ assault.
           9. The 2001 Rules, which have been in operation since
           December, 2001 miserably failed to control the dog
           population. Infact the stray dog population and number of
           dog bites have increased tremendously. There is absolutely
           no reason to believe that the 2023 Rules would do any
           better. It is rather strange that despite increasing dog bites,
           no active steps are contemplated by 2023 Rules.
           10. Sterilization and immunization contemplated under
           the 2023 Rules, is no guarantee against biting by stray
           dog(s). Therefore, it is not clear as to how the 2023 Rules
           [even if fully implemented] would result in addressing the
           problem, which directly infringes the fundamental rights of
           large number of road users or those who frequent public
           spaces like airports, railway stations etc.
           11. In almost all developed countries, there are no stray
           dogs on the streets. This shows that 2023 Rules are
           totally inadequate and do not address the problem. If the
           Rules continue to govern, it is certain that there would
           be exponential increase in stray dog population and
           consequential dog bites, putting the lives of our children
           at grave risk.
           12. The 2023 Rules somehow seems to suggest that the
           fundamental rights of stray dogs to roam around in the
           street(s), attack human beings and create public nuisance
           is at a higher pedestal than the fundamental rights of
           human beings. Time has come for this Hon’ble Court to
           clearly hold that stray dogs cannot be allowed to remain
           on streets and all steps have to be taken to ensure that
           the streets/ all public spaces are cleared of stray dogs.
           13. Recently, a Constitution Bench of this Hon’ble Court
           in Animal Welfare Board of India v. Union of India, (2023)
           9 SCC 322 has categorically held as follows: -
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        “29. On the question of conferring fundamental
        rights on animals we do not have any precedent.
        The Division Bench in A. Nagaraja [Animal
        Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja, (2014)
        7 SCC 547:(2014) 3 SCC (Cri) 136] also does
        not lay down that animals have fundamental
        rights. The only tool available for testing this
        proposition is interpreting the three Amendment
        Acts on the anvil of reasonableness in Article
        14 of the Constitution of India. While the
        protection under Article 21 has been conferred
        on person as opposed to a citizen, which is
        the case in Article 19 of the Constitution, we
        do not think it will be prudent for us to venture
        into a judicial adventurism to bring bulls within
        the said protected mechanism. We have our
        doubt as to whether detaining a stray bull from
        the street against its wish could give rise to the
        constitutional writ of habeas corpus or not. In
        the judgment of A. Nagaraja [Animal Welfare
        Board of India v. A. Nagaraja, (2014) 7 SCC
        547 : (2014) 3 SCC (Cri) 136] , the question of
        elevation of the statutory rights of animals to the
        realm of fundamental rights has been left at the
        advisory level or has been framed as a judicial
        suggestion. We do not want to venture beyond
        that and leave this exercise to be considered
        by the appropriate legislative body. We do not
        think Article 14 of the Constitution can also be
        invoked by any animal as a person. While we
        can test the provisions of an animal welfare
        legislation, that would be at the instance of a
        human being or a juridical person who may
        espouse the cause of animal welfare.
                              - xxx -
        42. As we proceed on the basis that the
        Constitution does not recognise any fundamental
        right for animals, we shall have to test the legality
        of the three statutes against the provisions of the
[2025] 8 S.C.R.                                                            1853

            In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price”


                1960 Act along with the constitutional provisions
                of Articles 48, 51-A(g) and (h).”
           14. When there is a direct infringement of fundamental
           rights of human beings, especially under Article 21, the
           State is duty bound to take all steps to prevent such
           infringement. Unfortunately, the 2023 Rules perpetuate
           the said infringement rather than prevent the violation of
           the fundamental rights of the human beings.
           15. Number of Municipal Laws and Police Laws in the
           country, provide for confinement and even destruction of
           stray dogs. The relevant portions of some of the Municipal/
           Police Acts are Section 399 of the Delhi Municipal
           Corporation Act, 1957, Section 44 of Maharashtra Police
           Act, 1968 and Sections 249 & 373 of Greater Hyderabad
           Municipal Corporation, 1955.
           16. In foreign countries, there are provisions for destruction
           of stray dogs if there is no owner or if nobody comes for
           adoption of the stray dog.”
5.   The exercise that we propose to undertake, is not to be performed in
     a casual manner. The burning issue that we have embarked upon is
     not driven by a momentary impulse. On the contrary, it is only after
     the deepest of deliberations, and having reached the firm conclusion
     about the systematic failure of the concerned authorities over the past
     two decades to address an issue that strikes at the heart of public
     safety, that we have decided to take the matter in our hands. We
     have, over a considerable period of time, examined the prevailing
     circumstances, heard the voices of those who have been directly
     affected and reflected upon a disturbing pattern of dog bites in this
     country. Now is not the time for any resistance or hesitation born
     of complacency. It is a time for decisive and collective action and
     to confront the realities of our society. If we fail to act with urgency,
     we risk allowing yet another two decades to slip into the ledger of
     neglect, leaving future generations to inherit the same problems and
     the same dangers.
6.   We are conscious and sensitive of co-existence. The idea behind
     co-existence is not the existence of one’s life at the cost of the
     other. In the case in hand, we are attempting to flag the experience
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     of those who use the streets daily. Streets should not prove to be
     vulnerable places. Among a bundle of concerns, we are at pains to
     take cognizance of the experiences of visually impaired persons,
     young children, elderly persons, people from humble background
     who are not able to afford even a day’s meal, let alone the medical
     expenses. The visually impaired persons are at the highest risk of
     dog bites as their primary support, their canes, are seen as threats
     by the dogs. Young children are susceptible to dog bites due to
     which parents find it very difficult to allow their children to navigate
     on streets on their own. We have come across concerns of elderly
     persons being attacked by rambunctious dogs. We are not casting
     aspersions, but there is no way one can identify or classify between
     a rabies-carrying dog and others. More particularly, the situation is
     worse when it comes to persons who are forced to sleep on the
     streets. It is painstaking to note the pangs of such persons who neither
     have the knowledge of the consequences of dog bites nor have any
     precautionary or post-exposure measures accessible to them.
7.   It is often said that “no person is above the law”, however of equal
     significance is the flip side of that maxim; “no person is below the law”
     either. The protection, dignity, and security that the law affords are not
     privileges conferred at the discretion of those in authority; they are
     rights inherent to every individual, regardless of station, circumstance,
     or means. Obedience to the law is not solicited as an act of grace,
     nor extended as a favour, it is commanded and demanded as a
     matter of right. Reciprocally, the assurance of the law’s protection
     is owed as a matter of duty. To forget this is to hollow out the very
     purpose of the rule of law, reducing it to an instrument that speaks
     only to the powerful while turning a deaf ear to the powerless. The
     true test of a legal order lies not in how firmly it restrains those at
     the top, but in how faithfully it safeguards those at the margins.
8.   In light of the concerns of the interveners, we urge all to adopt and
     give dogs a shelter in their homes. However, we do not ascribe to
     the virtue signalling of all those who share love and concern for the
     animals. A virtual divide is being attempted to be created between
     ‘animal lovers’ and persons indifferent towards animals. But the heart
     of the problem remains unanswered, for all practical reasons. As
     a court, our heart pains equally for everyone. We condemn those
     who, beneath the cloak of “love and care” for the voiceless, pursue
     the warmth of self-congratulation. The directions given by us, as a
[2025] 8 S.C.R.                                                           1855

             In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price”


     court which functions for the welfare of the people, are both in the
     interest of humans as well as dogs. This is not personal.
9.   The Judiciary must not assume or take on the colouration of the
     prevailing popular sentiments of the time, for its role is not to echo
     the passions of the moment but to uphold the enduring principles
     of justice, conscience and equity. As the sentinel on the qui vive, a
     guardian of rights, the Judiciary bears the solemn responsibility to
     possess the courage and the strength to remind the people of truths
     that they may not like or prefer not to hear.
10. At the same time, being conscious about the genuine love and care
    towards stray dogs that many stakeholders of the public share, we
    urge them to come forward and become a part of this exercise. To
    adorn the care and upkeep of the stray dogs responsibly at the dog
    shelters / pounds. To volunteer their valuable time and resources
    towards the proper functioning of such shelters / pounds and assisting
    the concerned authorities therein.
11. In such circumstances, referred to above, as a part of immediate
    action,the following directions: -
     (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 shall at the earliest start
            picking up stray dogs from all localities, more particularly the
            vulnerable localities of the city as well as areas on the outskirts.
            How to do it, is for the authorities to look into. For this, if they
            have to create a force, they shall do it at the earliest. However,
            this should be the first and foremost exercise to make all localities
            within the State and its outskirts free of stray dogs.
     (II)   There should not be any lethargy or compromise in undertaking
            this exercise. If any individual or any organization comes in
            the way of forceful picking up of the stray dogs and rounding
            them up, and if it is reported to us, we shall proceed to take
            the strictest of actions against any such resistance which
            may be offered. We are issuing these directions keeping
            only one thing in mind and that is the larger public interest.
            Infants, young children, aged should not at any cost fall prey
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         to such dog bites that have the propensity to lead to one of
         the deadliest diseases known to mankind, if not the most i.e.,
         rabies. The action should inspire confidence in the minds of
         people, young and old that they can move freely and safely on
         the roads and vicinity of their own homes without any fear of
         being bitten by a stray dog or a pack of dogs. No sentiments
         should be involved in this entire exercise. This should be the
         first step in the process.
    (III) The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT),
          Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal
          Council (NDMC) and the appropriate authorities of NOIDA,
          Ghaziabad, Gurugram & Faridabad are directed to immediately
          create dog shelters/pounds and report to this Court the creation
          of such infrastructure all over the National Capital Region (NCR),
          within a period of eight weeks from today.
    (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) We are mindful of the fact that the exercise of rounding up
        and relocation of the stray dogs in the shelters and pounds
        carries concerns over the well-being of such stray dogs. We
        are sympathetic to their lives as-well. Accordingly, we make it
        clear to all authorities concerned and the personnels deployed
        at such shelters / pounds, that at no stage should these
        dogs be subjected to any mistreatment, cruelty or deplorable
        standards of care. In lieu of this, we direct all the concerned
        authorities to ensure that there is no overcrowding at the dog
        shelters / pounds, and all measures shall be taken promptly
        for avoiding such a situation. The stray dogs who are brought
        to these shelters / pounds shall not be starved, and it shall be
        the duty of the concerned officials / authorities to ensure that
        they are adequately and regularly fed. The stray dogs who are
        brought to these shelters / pounds shall at no point of time
        be left completely unmonitored. In this regard, the concerned
[2025] 8 S.C.R.                                                      1857

            In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price”


           authorities must ensure that at least two responsible personnels
           are present at the shelter / pound at all times and proper duty
           schedule should be drawn up to ensure the same. Apart from
           the above, timely medical care should be provided by trained
           veterinarians to all the stray dogs, and the vulnerable and
           weak stray dogs should be accommodated separately within
           the shelter / pound as far as possible.
     (VI) We further clarify that it would be open to the concerned
          authorities to decide the viability of implementing an adoption
          scheme in respect of the stray dogs that would be kept at
          the shelters / pounds. However, any such adoption must take
          place only after a careful consideration, and in terms of the
          Standard Protocol for Adoption of Community Animals dated
          17.05.2022 issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India, and
          any other condition that the concerned authorities find necessary
          to impose for such adoption to ensure that the entire exercise
          envisaged by us, is not defeated. At the cost of repetition, we
          make it clear, that no such adoption, if any, should result in
          the re-release of a stray dog back on to the streets. If we find
          even a single infraction of such kind, we will proceed to take
          the strictest of action against the official responsible as-well
          as the individual.
     (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. Such records shall be
           produced before us on the next date of hearing. However, what
           is important is, without which this entire exercise which we have
           undertaken may go futile, that not a single dog picked up from
           any part of the locality shall be released back on the streets/
           public spaces. If we come to know that this has happened, we
           shall take stern action in this regard.
     (IX) We clarify that in this entire exercise, the above mentioned
          records shall be maintained regularly by the concerned
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           authorities, such that in the event this Court finds any infraction
           of the directions issued herein, necessary action shall be taken.
           In this regard, 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) We direct the Authorities, referred to above, to create helpline
         number within a period of one week from today 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. Any resistance offered by any
         individual or organizations in this regard will be viewed strictly
         and we may proceed for contempt against such individual or
         organizations coming in the way of this Court.
     (XI) The stray dogs shall be captured, sterilized, dewormed and
          immunized as required by Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 and
          as noted above, 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) Report in this regard shall be presented before us on the next
           date of hearing.
    (XIV) 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.
12. For the present, the aforesaid directions shall be complied with and
    implemented scrupulously. We, at the cost of repetition, again make
    it abundantly clear to the above concerned authorities in clear words
    that it shall at the earliest: -
     (i)   Start picking up and rounding the stray dogs from all localities
           of Delhi, Ghaziabad, NOIDA, Faridabad, Gurugram as well as
           areas on the outskirts, and relocate these dogs into designated
           shelters / pounds.
[2025] 8 S.C.R.                                                         1859

             In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price”


     (ii)   The appropriate authorities of NCT of Delhi, NOIDA, Ghaziabad,
            Gurugram & Faridabad are directed to immediately create dog
            shelters/pounds and report to this Court the creation of such
            infrastructure all over the National Capital Region (NCR). A
            report in this regard shall be filed before this Court within a
            period of eight-weeks.
     (iii) In no circumstances, should these stray dogs after their
           relocation be once again released back onto the streets. In this
           regard proper records should be maintained by the concerned
           authorities regularly.
     (iv) The stray dogs shall be captured, sterilized, dewormed and
          immunized as required by Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 and
          as noted above, shall not be released back. 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.
     (v)    We further make it clear that both the exercise of rounding-
            up of stray dogs as-well as the creation of necessary
            infrastructure in the form of shelters / pounds for the relocation,
            sterilization, deworming and immunization, shall be undertaken
            simultaneously. We do not want to hear about even a semblance
            of lethargy from the concerned authorities on the pre-text of
            awaiting the creation of shelters / pounds, otherwise, we will
            proceed to take strict action against these authorities. All
            authorities are directed to immediately begin the picking up
            stray dogs and in the same breadth creation of appropriate
            and adequate shelter homes and pounds across the National
            Capital Region.
13. Any hindrance or obstruction that may be caused by any individual
    or organization in the smooth and effective implementation of our
    aforesaid directions will be viewed as contempt of this Court and
    we shall proceed to take appropriate action in accordance with law.
14. Since this is an ongoing exercise, we are not, at this stage, inclined
    to entertain any intervention applications that have been filed before
    us. We first want to hear from the concerned authorities as to what
    they have to say, and the progress made by them. Once these
1860                                                        [2025] 8 S.C.R.

                            Supreme Court Reports


     relevant details are placed before us by the concerned authorities,
     we will take into consideration the intervention applications before
     us on their own merits.
15. During the course of the hearing, we were apprised about the
    pendency of a writ petition being W.P. (C) No. 67 of 2023, titled
    Parthima Devi v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi before the High Court
    of Delhi, wherein a similar initiative of construction of a dog shelter /
    pound by the municipal corporation was stayed by the High Court.
    Keeping in mind the similitude of issues involved in the aforesaid
    matter and the case in hand, we are of the view that the aforesaid
    petition should be heard by this Court. In such circumstances, we
    direct the High Court of Delhi to transfer W.P. (C) No. 67 of 2023,
    titled Parthima Devi v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi to this Court
    along with the entire record at the earliest.
16. Notify this matter once again with an appropriate Status Report along
    with all the intervention application(s) after a period of four weeks
    on top of the Board.


     Result of the case: Directions issued.




     †
         Headnotes prepared by: Ankit Gyan