SC’s stray dog verdict receives strong backing from political and animal activists | VIDEO

New Delhi: The recent Supreme Court ruling on the management of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR has been widely welcomed by public representatives, animal rights activists, and members of the civic authorities, reflecting a positive consensus on the humane treatment of street dogs.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed the SC’s revised directions on stray dog. In his tweet, he said, "I welcome the Supreme Court’s revised directions on stray dogs, as it marks a progressive step toward balancing animal welfare and public safety. The approach is both compassionate and rooted in scientific reasoning."

Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh expressed strong support for the verdict, stating, "We welcome the decision. This is a very good decision, and we will implement it 100%."

He also added that, "The dog lovers and the NGOs also wanted the dogs to be sterilised and left. The corporation already did the same. Ferocious and aggressive dogs that have developed the habit of biting should be treated and kept. The public should not face any problem. We all love street dogs, and we are all dog lovers, so this is a very good decision."

The Supreme Court’s directive prohibits the permanent rounding up of stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region and calls for their sterilisation and release. BJP leader and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi praised the judgment as "scientific" and said, "Relocation and fear are the only reasons for dogs biting. There is no question of releasing dogs infected with Rabies. The court has not defined what an aggressive dog is. This needs to be defined." She further appreciated the court's order requiring designated feeding areas and emphasised the need for proper signboards, adding, "As per the order, the municipal corporations will have to set up proper Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres. For the first time in 25 years, the government stated in Parliament that it is allocating Rs 2,500 crores for this program."

Running a shelter home for dogs, Delhi’s Sonali Gaba welcomed the judgment, affirming, "We had faith that the SC would rule in our favour. You can't say that any and every dog is aggressive; there should be proof. We are happy with the SC order. We are happy that the court has ruled on creating designated feeding areas for dogs."

The ruling has also resonated beyond Delhi, with animal rights activist Prateek Yadav from Lucknow stating, "Supreme Court order is for animal welfare. The order says the authorities need to focus on neutering and animal birth control. This is a very good decision and I am very happy with it."

The Supreme Court’s verdict applies nationwide and marks a major step towards scientifically and humanely managing the stray dog population. It emphasises neutering, establishing designated feeding zones, and preventing fear and relocation as factors that contribute to dog bite incidents.

The decision is expected to bring much-needed funding and focus on systematic animal birth control programs, setting a precedent for humane treatment of stray animals across India. Municipal corporations now face the challenge of effective implementation to ensure public safety while safeguarding animal rights.