NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday modified the earlier order passed by its two-judge bench on August 11 and ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to release all the picked-up stray dogs in the same locality after sterilisation and immunisation, except those infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour.

The three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath ordered that all similar matters shall be transferred to the top court for a final national policy. The apex court also directed that no public feeding of dogs will be allowed, and dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs to be created.

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The judgment was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria, in the suo motu case titled “In Re: City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price.”

After the last hearing, the top has suggested some modifications.

Key directions from the Supreme Court

Release after sterilisation & immunisation

The apex court added that the stray dogs will be released back into the same area once sterilised and vaccinated.

Exception for rabid or aggressive dogs

It also directed that dogs infected with rabies or showing aggressive behaviour will not be released; they will be kept separately.

No public feeding allowed

Supreme Court prohibited the feeding of stray dogs in public spaces.

Dedicated feeding zones

It directed the MCD to create designated feeding areas for strays in every municipal ward.

Adoption allowed through MCD

Animal lovers may apply to the MCD to adopt stray dogs.

Nationwide policy under consideration

The Court issued notices to Animal Husbandry Secretaries of all States and UTs, seeking inputs on a national stray dog policy.

Pan-India scope extended

The order’s ambit has been expanded beyond Delhi-NCR to cover the entire country.

High Court cases centralised

All stray dog-related petitions pending in High Courts will be transferred to the Supreme Court.

Outrage over August 11 order

Earlier on August 14, the same three-judge bench had reserved its order while blaming the inaction and inefficiency of local authorities in implementing Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules for the proliferation of stray dogs on the streets of NCR.

After nationwide outrage over an order passed by a two-judge Bench led by Justice J B Pardiwala earlier on August 11, Chief Justice B R Gavai transferred the case to the three-judge bench.

The two-judge bench had ordered municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad to relocate all stray dogs to designated shelters.

Ahead of the Supreme Court’s verdict on the relocation of stray dogs, a large number of animal activists and caregivers assembled at the Jantar Mantar.