Overview

• A three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria reserved its decision this week on the August 11 order directing capture and permanent sheltering of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR.
• Demonstrations by animal welfare activists and dog lovers have spread to major cities, with Chennai protesters rallying in the rain and Delhi Police filing FIRs after clashes at unpermitted gatherings.
• Isolated incidents linked to the controversy include a Greater Noida resident assaulted while walking his pet and at least a dozen dogs allegedly abandoned without food in a Bilaspur slaughterhouse.
• Some municipal bodies are launching pilot programmes, such as Shimla’s plan to collar strays with QR codes and GPS trackers and Delhi’s mapping of new shelter sites along with a dedicated helpline.
• Advocates on both sides caution that permanent relocation without strengthening sterilisation, vaccination and shelter infrastructure could worsen animal welfare issues and undermine public safety.