In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has ordered that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be moved to designated shelters, following growing concerns over rabies-related deaths and frequent dog bite incidents. The directive came from a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan, who took cognizance of a recent news report highlighting the alarming rise in rabies cases.

The court emphasized the urgent need to protect public safety while ensuring humane treatment for animals. Authorities have been instructed to identify suitable shelter facilities and provide adequate food, medical care, and space for the relocated dogs.

Animal welfare organizations and municipal bodies are expected to work together to implement the order, which also aims to curb uncontrolled breeding and improve vaccination coverage.

This move comes amid a wider national debate on balancing community safety and animal rights, as urban areas continue to grapple with growing stray dog populations and limited infrastructure for their care