SC on Stray Dogs: The Supreme Court on Friday made it clear that stray dogs cannot be fed on public streets, directing municipal bodies in Delhi-NCR to set up specific feeding zones for the animals.“Under no condition shall the feeding of stray dogs on the streets be permitted,” a three-judge special bench led by Justice Vikram Nath said. The bench also included Justices Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria.

The court warned that anyone found feeding dogs on roads would face prosecution under applicable laws. “The aforesaid directions are being issued in view of the 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 on the streets,” the bench noted.

The Top court instructed that notice boards must be installed at designated feeding sites, informing the public that the area is meant specifically for feeding strays.

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The ruling also modified the apex court’s earlier stance on handling stray dogs. As per the updated order, dogs captured under the August 11 directive will now be released after sterilisation and vaccination — except those infected with rabies or showing aggressive behaviour.

The special bench further expanded the scope of the case beyond Delhi-NCR, turning it into a pan-India matter. Notices have been issued to all states and union territories to work towards a uniform national policy on stray dogs.

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While the earlier two-judge bench had barred authorities from releasing captured strays and had warned of contempt proceedings for any laxity, the latest order lifted that prohibition, bringing a significant change in the interim framework.

“It is still an interim direction. We have expanded the scope pan-India and have issued notices to all states and UTs, notices to concerned departments, since there are various similar matters pending before this court so that a national policy could be framed to deal with the issue. We have suggested some modifications in the previous order,” Justice Nath said while reading out the operative part of the order in open court.