Why “Strays of Delhi” Exists

by

In August 2025, India’s Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the headline “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price.”

In just two hearings, a two-judge bench ordered Delhi-NCR authorities to round up all stray dogs, keep them in shelters, and not release them back — a sweeping decree that made the judiciary look less like a constitutional court and more like a durbar of kings issuing edicts without planning for consequences.

Eleven days later — amid mass protests and outrage — a three-judge bench reversed course, saying that blanket no-release was “too harsh” and restoring the sterilise–vaccinate–deworm–release (CNVR) to the same locality rule, except for rabid or demonstrably aggressive dogs.

What Changed

Plain words:

  • Aug 11 edict: Dogs “shall not be released back” under any circumstances.
  • Aug 22 bench: Kept those parts in abeyance, ordered CNVR and return to the same area, and told municipalities to create designated feeding zones per ward (and to bar street-feeding outside those zones).
  • Indian Express explainer

Judiciary Acting Like Kings

The Aug 11 order demanded an NCR-wide roundup in 8 weeks, threatened contempt for anyone who resisted, and categorically banned release — all before verifying if adequate shelters, vets, vehicles, or budgets existed.

The Aug 22 bench itself admitted the first order was “too harsh” and logistically impossible without infrastructure. That’s what we mean by king-like diktats: grand orders first, feasibility later.

Meanwhile, the real work — clean budgets, lawful ABC capacity, transparent tenders, and crime control — wasn’t done.

The Law We Must Follow

India already has a humane, science-based framework: the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

ABC requires:

Protests, Policing & Public Outcry

The Aug 11 order triggered city-wide protests by caregivers, activists, and citizens. Media recorded detentions and lathi-charges as people demanded CNVR and release to home territories.

After the Aug 22 clarification, Rohini (Sector 27) ABC centre became a flashpoint: videos showed overcrowding, dogs without food/water, filthy enclosures. Police countered that 113 dogs were inside and only one was under treatment.

What We Found at MCD Centres (Rohini, Dwarka & beyond)

Independent ground-checks and reportage before and after Aug 11 exposed systemic capacity failure — overcrowding, poor hygiene, post-op care gaps, unpaid bills, and staff shortages — exactly the risks ABC experts warned would explode under mass-impoundment.

Relocation allegations: Activists allege illegal relocation of even sterilised dogs and puppies — against ABC Rules requiring return to the original locality.

“Slaughterhouse” / “Dog-meat” claims: Serious allegations are circulating on social media and a few local outlets; not verified by mainstream reporting yet. We’re tracking demands for official inspections and FSL reports; until then, treat these as allegations.

Judiciary as “Kings,” Real Priorities Ignored

The Aug 11 order demanded an NCR-wide roundup in 8 weeks, threatened contempt for anyone who resisted, and categorically banned release—all before verifying if adequate shelters, vets, vehicles, or budgets existed. The Aug 22 bench itself admits the first order was “too harsh” and logistically impossible without infrastructure. That’s what we mean by king-like diktats: grand orders first, feasibility later.

Meanwhile, the real work—clean budgets, lawful ABC capacity, transparent tenders, and crime control—wasn’t done. Even MCD’s own rollouts now focus on designated feeding zones, helplines, and mapping to catch up with the court’s modified directions—after avoidable chaos.

Facts You Can Use (and Share)

Quick Timeline (Aug 2025)

What This Site Will Do

  • Publish the paperwork: Supreme Court orders, MCD circulars, and official advisories.
  • Document the truth: On-ground videos/photos with dates, locations, and chain-of-custody.
  • Track the money: Tenders, budgets, and sterilisation throughput vs. claims.
  • Amplify citizens: Caregivers, feeders, and neighbourhood volunteers who keep dogs safe and streets calm.

If you have credible evidence (dated videos, inspection notes, purchase orders), send it — we will post with context and verification.

All Validation Links (One Place)

Court PDFs:

ABC Rules 2023:

Coverage & ground reports:

Analysis:

Unverified allegations (for tracking, NOT proof):