The Supreme Court of India on Thursday signaled a unique turn in the ongoing legal battle over stray dog management in Delhi. During a tense exchange, the court announced it would play videos during the next hearing to assess the “humanity” of current policies and the ground reality of the stray dog crisis.
The Conflict: Animal Rights vs. Public Safety
The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, is currently reviewing regulations framed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
- The Petitioner’s Argument: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the new MCD rules are “inhumane” and contradict previous court directions. He raised concerns that dogs are being relocated without adequate shelter infrastructure, leading to cruelty.
- The Court’s Pushback: Justice Mehta responded sharply to the claims of inhumanity, stating that the court would play its own footage to provide perspective on the issue. Sibal countered that the petitioners would also bring footage showing the negative impact of the government’s enforcement measures.
Why the Court Intervened
The Supreme Court initiated this suo motu (on its own motion) proceeding in July 2025 following a surge in stray dog attacks in the national capital, many of which targeted children. The core of the legal debate rests on the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which outline how municipalities must handle stray populations.
Key Details for the Next Hearing
The court declined to grant an immediate stay on the MCD’s new rules, despite Sibal’s warnings that they would be enforced before the next session.
- Next Hearing Date: January 7, 2026.
- Key Evidence: A special screening of video footage from both the court and the petitioners.
- Focus: Determining whether the MCD has sufficient infrastructure (shelters, sterilization centers) to support its policies.