SC order on stray dogs: After Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi-NCR government, civic bodies, and authorities of Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad to pick up stray dogs and move them to shelters homes, Tamil Nadu’s Municipal Administration Minister K N Nehru said that the state will implement the Supreme Court’s order to relocate stray dogs from streets to shelters across Tamil Nadu. He stressed that the directive, designed to reduce dog bite incidents, will be enforced without the necessity of returning dogs after vaccination and sterilisation.
“Dog bite menace is worrisome for us. This is a good opportunity for us. We will implement the order in the corporations and across the state,” Nehru said. He also praised the order’s provision allowing action against animal activists who impede the process.
The SC ruling, which came in response to an increase in dog bite cases, ordered the authorities in Delhi-NCR to set up sufficient shelter infrastructure with capacity initially for 5,000 dogs within eight weeks, with proper staffing for sterilization and immunization, and CCTV monitoring to prevent dogs from being released.
Karnataka CM calls removal of strays ‘cruelty’
The SC’s directive has prompted a mixed reaction. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised the approach on X, calling the removal of strays “cruelty, not governance” and urged that sterilisation, vaccination, and community care not fear-driven measures should be the solution.
In West Bengal, TMC MP Saket Gokhale wrote to the Chief Justice, labelling the move “cruel and inhuman” and calling for a broader consultative process rather than judicial edict.
Some welcome SC directives
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan High Court has directed state municipal bodies to remove stray dogs and other animals from city roads, taking cognisance of the rising incidents of dog bites and the menace posed by stray animals, which have even led to deaths in the state.
The court made it clear that anyone obstructing municipal bodies in removing stray animals from roads, colonies, or public paths will face legal action. Municipal officials and employees have been given a free hand to carry out the directive, including the authority to lodge First Information Reports (FIRs) against those who hinder their work or obstruct public servants from performing their duties.
Meanwhile, several Residents’ Welfare Associations in Delhi welcomed the ruling, viewing it as relief from the growing stray dog menace. Though activists warn the order is poorly thought through, unsustainable, and likely to worsen public suffering.
In Bengaluru, civic authorities admit they lack the infrastructure to house large numbers of relocated dogs. Current facilities include only a handful of ABC (Animal Birth Control) centres and temporary kennels, with no long-term shelters. Officials await clarity on the SC order’s applicability before planning further. The city continues to struggle with Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district alone reporting 1,568 dog-bite cases in just six months this year.
Dog bite cases in Karnataka
On Tuesday, two staff members at Bangalore University’s Jnanabharathi campus were hospitalised after dog attacks, prompting the BBMP to launch a full investigative report into the incident.
Tamil Nadu will carry out the Supreme Court’s stray dog directive, while other states are grappling with both logistical challenges and ideological divides. Animal rights campaigners advocate for humane options, whereas residents’ groups and civic bodies in some cities support stricter enforcement.