Delhi High Court Urges Action on Stray Dog Rehabilitation Policy

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to develop a comprehensive policy to relocate stray dogs from public streets to institutional shelters for rehabilitation. This directive, issued on May 21, 2025, by Justice Mini Pushkarna, aims to address the growing concerns over stray dogs in the capital, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to their care and management.

The court’s order came in response to a petition filed by an octogenarian woman, Pratima Devi, known as “Dog Amma,” who challenged the demolition of her makeshift shelter behind PVR Anupam Complex in Saket. The shelter, which housed over 200 stray dogs, was razed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on January 3, 2023, without prior notice. Devi had been caring for these animals for over 30 years, according to her plea.

Justice Pushkarna highlighted the public safety risks posed by stray dogs, noting frequent reports of dog bites in newspapers and related petitions before the court. The court criticized the existing practice of releasing sterilized and vaccinated dogs back into the same areas, stating that it is not a viable solution due to the large number of dogs involved. Such an approach, the court argued, could lead to over-concentration in specific localities, creating potential hazards for both the public and the animals.

To address this, the court instructed the Chief Secretary of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to convene a meeting with key stakeholders, including the MCD and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The goal is to formulate a policy that ensures stray dogs are rehabilitated in institutional shelters and gradually phased out from public spaces. The court emphasized that this policy decision requires coordinated efforts among the Delhi government, MCD, and AWBI to effectively tackle the issue.