New Delhi, Aug 22: The Supreme Court of India has modified its August 11 directive concerning the relocation of stray dogs.

The apex court now mandates that stray dogs, once sterilised and immunised, must be released back into the same areas from which they were picked—except in cases where the animals are infected with rabies or display aggressive behaviour.

The revised order comes in response to widespread public concern and legal challenges following the initial ruling, which had directed civic authorities across Delhi-NCR to remove all stray dogs from public spaces and relocate them to shelters within eight weeks.

Animal welfare groups and legal experts had argued that the earlier directive conflicted with existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which advocate for the return of sterilised dogs to their original territories.

A three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath emphasized that while public safety remains paramount, humane treatment of animals must not be compromised. The court clarified that only rabid or dangerously aggressive dogs should be shifted to designated shelters, ensuring a balance between civic responsibility and animal rights.

The ruling also calls upon municipal bodies to expedite the creation of proper infrastructure for sterilisation and vaccination drives, and to maintain records of dogs treated under the ABC program.

Authorities in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad have been instructed to comply with the updated guidelines and report progress within eight weeks.

This decision marks a pivotal moment in India’s ongoing debate over stray dog management, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to both public health and ethical animal care.