Delhi stray dogs case Updates: Mohan Bhagwat calls for 'control' on stray dog population

The Supreme Court bench reserved the order on a plea for stay on the August 11 order on removal of stray dogs. The court rapped the local authorities for the dog problem while the lawyers asking for the stay said the previous order was based on ‘unauthenticated videos’

Now eeryone, especially Delhi NCR's dog lovers, are waiting for the SC bench's order.

Noting that all animals have the right to live, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said the stray dog menace in Delhi can only be solved by regulating their population, and not by confining them to shelters.

Bhagwat, a veterinary science graduate, was commenting on the controversy over a Supreme Court order asking the Delhi-NCR authorities to permanently relocate strays from streets to dog shelters.

“The problem can be solved only by regulating the population of street dogs. But, it cannot be resolved by putting stray dogs in shelters,” he said, while addressing a religious congregation at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack.

An animal activist opposing the Supreme Court’s order to relocate Delhi-NCR’s stray dogs drew criticism online after describing rabies as a “mild virus” that dies if the wound is “washed with soap.”

Ambika Shukla, the animal activist and sister of BJP leader Maneka Gandhi, was speaking at what appeared to be a demonstration against the August 11 Supreme Court order to relocate the stray dogs of Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks.

"Rabies virus spreads only when the infection reaches the blood through saliva or blood… this is the medium of transmission. But the virus is so delicate that if you wash the wound even with soap, the rabies virus dies," the animal activist said, according to a video shared by X handle ‘The Red Mike’.

The new bench, which was constituted to adjudicate the suo motu matter of stray dogs post a verdict by a different bench ordering their relocation from streets to shelters, comprises Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: On the Supreme Court reserving its order on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, Gauri Maulekhi, Trustee at People for Animals India, told ANI, “All the advocates in the Court today said that such an order is neither practical nor in the interest of humans or animals.”

She added: “Many compassionate people and important lawyers of the Bar attended the hearing today. We saw that more than 150 lawyers came to the hearing. There was no space to even stand in the courtroom... Today, the court heard everyone peacefully and reserved the order. We hope that this fatal order will be stayed.”

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: Karnataka minister Eshwar Khandre told news agency ANI, "The menace of the street dogs is huge, and it is increasing day by day. In my opinion, we have to protect the lives of children and all pedestrians, and also increase the number of shelters for dogs. We also need to prepare an SOP for capturing dogs. The local bodies need to be given responsibility to do this.”

He highlighted the need for a structured approach combining public safety, animal welfare, and clear responsibilities for local authorities in managing stray dogs in India.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: On the Supreme Court order on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh told ANI om Thursday, “We will comply with the Supreme Court's order. We are also animal lovers, but humanity is our foundation. For us, nothing is above the Supreme Court. In the first phase, we are taking action against the dogs that bite. Yesterday, we picked up 150 dogs from various zones.”

The mayor highlighted that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is acting in phases, starting with aggressive or biting dogs, while ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court order on stray dogs.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: During the SC hearing on Thursday, the Delhi government told the bench that children are dying due to dog bites causing rabies and stressed that the issue needs to be resolved, not contested.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing before the three-judge bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath, added: “Nobody is an animal hater.”

He also highlighted that over 37 lakh dog bites are reported in India annually.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing an NGO caring for dogs, said the situation is:“very serious” and the matter was needed to be argued in depth.

The hearing saw intense exchanges over balancing public safety with humane treatment of Delhi-NCR stray dogs.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on petitions seeking a stay of the suo motu order on stray dogs passed on Monday, August 11. The original two-judge bench had directed authorities to relocate Delhi-NCR stray dogs to shelters.

Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai had on Wednesday withdrawn the case from Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan. The matter was taken up by the new three-judge bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, on Thursday. Read More

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: During Thursday’s hearing, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath observed: “The whole problem is because of inaction of local authorities.”

The bench, also comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria, added that everyone who has approached the apex court and filed interventions must take responsibility.

The Delhi government highlighted the human safety risks, stating that children are dying from dog bites causing rabies and emphasizing that the issue should be resolved, not contested.

During the SC stray dogs hearing, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra noted that the MCD and government have submitted that existing rules need to be implemented.

According to Bar and Bench, he added, “We have submitted medical reports of a person who is admitted in Breach Candy Hospital.. humans are suffering. For every 24 individuals there is one stray dog. All those who are here must take culpability of attacks as and when they happen.”

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: During the SC stray dogs hearing, the three-judge bench said, “Everyone who has filed intervention will have to own responsibility.”

The SC bench further observed: “Parliament frames rules and laws.. but not implemented. On one hand humans are suffering and on the other hand the animal lovers are here,” reported Bar and Bench.

During the SC stray dogs hearing, the three-judge bench questioned the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on its stand, saying:

“This is happening because of the inaction of the Municipal Corporation.”

Justice Vikram Nath added, “Local authorities are not doing what they should be doing. They should be here taking responsibility. Everyone who has come here to file intervention should take responsibility,” reported LiveLaw.

The bench emphasised the accountability of local authorities in implementing the Supreme Court order on stray dogs effectively. Read More

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: During the SC stray dogs hearing, the bench pointed out that the ongoing stray dog problem is largely due to the inaction of local authorities, saying, “This is happening because of the inaction of the Municipal Corporation,” reported news agency PTI.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: The Supreme Court has reserved its order on the interim plea seeking a stay of the suo motu order on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. The bench will take time to consider arguments from both sides before delivering a decision on the implementation of the August 11 SC order.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: During the SC stray dogs hearing in Delhi-NCR, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for an NGO, asked: “Has the Municipal corporation built shelter homes for dogs? Have the dogs been sterilised? Now, the dogs are being picked up. However, the order states that once sterilised, the stray dogs should not be left out in the community.”

He requested that the Supreme Court stay the August 11 order issued by the two-judge bench, citing concerns over proper implementation and potential harm to the animals.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: “Well meaning orders sometimes go beyond the law. All previous 6 orders of Supreme Court says follow ABC rules, in a humane manner sterilise them, and then rehabilitate. 2d, 2j, 3(11) 3(16) ABC rules are violated,” reported Bar and Bench.

He was highlighting that the Supreme Court order on stray dogs may be inconsistent with earlier directions to follow the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules, which mandate humane sterilisation and rehabilitation of Delhi stray dogs.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing in the SC stray dogs hearing, said: “Situation is 'very serious' and matter needs to be argued in depth.”

He highlighted the gravity of the issue in Delhi-NCR and stressed the need for a careful and detailed discussion on stray dogs issue.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the Supreme Court on stray dogs: “The Aug 11 order directing authorities in Delhi-NCR to start picking up stray dogs needs to be stayed,” reported news agency PTI.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: “All Authorities directed to pick up dogs…this direction has to be stayed. What will happen? They will be culled…dogs are kept together…food is thrown and then they attack each other. This is pestilence. This cannot be permitted,” reported Bar and Bench.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: During the SC on stray dogs hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said: “Nobody is animal hater.”

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: During the SC stray dogs hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that more than 37 lakh dog bites are reported annually across India. The data was presented to highlight the public safety concerns arising from stray dogs in Delhi-NCR and the need for effective implementation of the Supreme Court order on stray dogs.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: During the hearing on the stray dogs Supreme Court case, the Tushar Mehta representing the governmrnt told the bench: “We are unable to send the children out to play in the open. This is my stand not the government's stand. Your lordships will have to find a solution. Ultimately the solution is not in the Rules. A vocal minority view as against the silent suffering majority view,” reported Live Law.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: The SC’s detailed August 11 order on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR laid out strict directions for authorities, emphasizing public safety while ensuring animal welfare.

The bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan ordered that all localities be made free of stray dogs within eight weeks, with captured animals housed in dedicated shelters. No dog is to be released back onto the streets.

It also warned of contempt proceedings against any individual or organisation attempting to obstruct the capture drive.

The court directed Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, MCD, and NMDC authorities to set up shelters with sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise dogs.

The apex court said the directions are in the “interest of humans as well as dogs. This is not personal.” It added,

“The judiciary must not assume or take on the colouration of the prevailing popular sentiments of the time, for its role is not to echo the passions of the moment but to uphold the enduring principles of justice, conscience and equity...”

The SC also directed authorities to establish a helpline to register dog-bite complaints, with the offending animal picked up within four hours. All captured dogs must be recorded daily, with CCTV monitoring to ensure compliance. No dog should be released back into public spaces.

Stray dogs Supreme Court hearing live updates: Amid the debate over the Supreme Court’s ruling on stray dogs in Delhi, animal rights activist and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi told ANI, “Nobody favours the ill-treatment of animals. They believe that if animals are taken away, their children would not be bitten. I agree with that. But the animals would not go away."

She added, "If we remove 3 lakh animals from Delhi, 3 lakh more would come in within a week from Ghaziabad and Faridabad. If those additional 3 lakh are removed, more would come in because there is abundant food in Delhi. You have more than 50,000 illegal chicken centres in Delhi. You have meat shops that function without a license. So, the law should come into effect for that too. Otherwise, it would never end...I would want the CJI to review it with love and see what the best way is, because our goal is the same. We too want fewer dogs, we want no biting, and we want humans and dogs & every animal to live in peace.”