Overview

• A three-judge Supreme Court bench on August 22 replaced the August 11 removal directive with a sterilise‑vaccinate‑deworm‑and‑return policy, keeping rabid or aggressive dogs in shelters.
• Feeding on public streets is prohibited under the order, with municipalities directed to set up designated feeding areas in every ward and to act against violations.
• After a video showed a man being assaulted on August 23 for feeding a stray in Gurgaon, animal‑welfare groups protested and police said they will summon the accused and proceed with a non‑cognizable report on September 1.
• Gurugram’s civic body reported more than 20,000 dogs sterilised and vaccinated in 2025 and plans to expand monthly capacity from 300 to 1,200 by adding two more ABC centres.
• Activists hailed the court’s course correction as humane, while public‑safety worries persist given frequent bite incidents and India’s large share of global rabies deaths cited by the WHO.