Supreme Court Prohibits Feeding Of Stray Dogs In Streets & Public Places Except Dedicated Areas

The Supreme Court held that it is illegal to feed stray dogs on the streets and in public places. The Court directed that stray dogs must be fed only in the dedicated feeding spaces to be created in each Municipal ward by the authorities.

 If anyone is found to violate this direction, they will be proceeded as per law. The Court passed this direction on the basis of reports regarding untoward incidents caused by the unregulated feeding of stray dogs. The Court stated that this practice must be eliminated so that the common citizens walking on the streets are not put to difficulties.

A bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria passed this direction while modifying the August 11 order passed by a two-judge bench which directed the relocation of the stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to dog shelters.

The three-judge bench clarified that the dogs, which are picked up, must be released to the same place from which they were picked up, after vaccination and sterlisiation, except those which are infected with rabies, suspected to the infected with rabies or displaying aggressive behaviour.

The Court further ordered the prohibition on public feeding.

The Court's order stated :

"The Municipal authorities shall forthwith commence the exercise of creating dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs in each municipal ward. The feeding area shall be identified keeping in view with the population of stray dogs in the ward. Notice boards must be placed mentioning that stray dogs shall be fed only in such areas. Under no condition shall the feeding of stray dogs on the streets be permitted. The persons found feeding the dogs in contravention of this direction shall be liable to be proceeded with under the relevant framework. The aforesaid direction is being issued in the light of reports regarding untoward incidents caused by unregulated feeding of stray dogs and to ensure that the practice of feeding dogs on roads and in public places is eliminated, as the said practice creates great difficulties for the common man walking in the streets."

Other directions can be read in this report.

Case Details: IN RE : 'CITY HOUNDED BY STRAYS, KIDS PAY PRICE'|SMW(C) No. 5/2025

Appearance: Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, Senior Advocate Krishnan Venugopal, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, Senior Advocate Aman Lekhi, Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, and Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave, representing the MCD

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