Supreme Court Bans Public Feeding Of Stray Dogs, Orders Designated Zones

In a significant modification of its earlier order, the Apex Court has ruled against street feeding to ensure public safety. The directive requires all local authorities to create specific, designated zones for animal welfare and feeding.

August 22, 2025: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India on Friday prohibited the feeding of stray dogs on the streets of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The court has directed municipal authorities to establish dedicated feeding areas for these animals and warned that anyone found violating the order will face prosecution under the relevant legal framework.

A special three-judge bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath and also including Justices Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, stated, “Under no condition shall the feeding of stray dogs on the streets be permitted.” The court explained that these directions were issued in response to reports of “untoward incidents” caused by unregulated feeding. The practice, the court noted, “creates great difficulties for the common man walking on the streets.”

The court’s new directives came as it modified its earlier order on the management of stray dogs in the region. The bench clarified that canines picked up under the previous August 11 order would be released after being sterilized and immunized, with the exception of those with rabies or aggressive behavior. This marks a significant change from the earlier ruling by a two-judge bench, which had prohibited authorities from releasing captured strays and had threatened contempt proceedings for any laxity.

In a further move, the court has expanded the scope of the case to a pan-India level. Justice Nath, reading out the operative part of the order in open court, said, “It is still an interim direction. We have expanded the scope pan-India and have issued notices to all states and UTs, notices to concerned departments, since there are various similar matters pending before this court so that a national policy could be framed to deal with the issue.” The court also directed that notice boards be installed near the designated feeding areas to specify their purpose.