The Supreme Court on Friday, August 22, significantly modified its earlier directions issued on August 11 regarding the management of stray dogs in Delhi NCR, expanding the order nationwide while setting strict guidelines on feeding, adoption, and shelter management.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria clarified that only aggressive or rabid dogs would be moved to shelter homes, overturning the previous blanket order requiring all stray dogs to be removed and indefinitely housed in shelters.

Key Points from the Order:

1. Aggressive and Rabid Dogs to Be Sheltered
   Only stray dogs deemed aggressive or rabid will be housed in shelters, marking a major departure from the earlier directive that mandated removal of all strays within eight weeks.

2. Feeding Restricted to Designated Areas
   Community dogs can be fed only at designated points. Municipalities are tasked with ensuring that feeding does not cause nuisance or health hazards in residential areas.

3. Stray Dogs Released After Vaccination or Sterilisation
   Dogs picked up for sterilisation or vaccination must be returned to their original localities, in line with previous judicial protocols.

4. Adoption of Shelter Dogs Permitted
   Animal lovers can approach authorities to adopt dogs from shelters, creating a formal legal pathway for adoption and proper care of shelter animals.

5. No Obstruction to Municipal Actions
   No individual or organization is allowed to obstruct municipal authorities executing stray dog management as per Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.

6. Order Extended Nationwide
   The Supreme Court expanded the matter pan-India, including all States and Union Territories, and directed that similar pending High Court petitions be transferred to the Supreme Court to create a uniform national policy.

7. Infrastructure for Shelters to Continue
   Municipal bodies must continue compliance with the earlier directive regarding the creation and maintenance of dog shelters and pounds.

8. Deposits from Petitioners and NGOs
   Individuals filing petitions must deposit ₹25,000, and NGOs must deposit ₹2 lakh with the registry, ensuring accountability and preventing frivolous litigation.

9. Ban on Public Feeding of Strays
   The Court issued a strict prohibition on feeding dogs in public spaces, noting that such practices lead to conflicts, accidents, and health risks. Dedicated feeding areas must be created, and violators will face action.

10. Follow-up Hearing After Eight Weeks
    The matter is scheduled for review in eight weeks, with authorities expected to report on sterilisation, vaccination, shelter management, and enforcement of feeding restrictions. Continuous monitoring will ensure a consistent national framework for public safety and animal welfare.