Overview

• A three-judge bench modified the August 11 directive, ruling that healthy strays must be sterilised, dewormed and vaccinated, then returned to their original areas, with rabid or demonstrably aggressive dogs to be kept in shelters.
• Public feeding on streets is prohibited, with municipalities to mark ward-level feeding zones, set up helplines for violations and pursue prosecution for obstructing officials.
• The court widened the suo motu matter to all states and UTs, ordered transfer of similar High Court cases, and sought detailed ABC compliance reports from animal husbandry departments and local bodies.
• NGOs must deposit ₹2 lakh and individual petitioners ₹25,000 within a week to be heard further, with funds earmarked for stray-dog infrastructure; municipal adoption of tagged street dogs is permitted.
• Delhi’s municipal corporation has begun mapping feeding points and planning shelters and mass sterilisation, as reports highlight staff shortages, overburdened ABC centres and waste management gaps.