The Delhi High Court on Tuesday urged the Delhi Government to establish a policy framework for the institutional rehabilitation of stray dogs across the national capital.
The Court’s direction comes amid rising concerns over public safety and frequent incidents of stray dog attacks. Justice Mini Pushkarna underscored the need for a coordinated policy effort involving the Delhi Government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The matter has now been referred to the Chief Secretary of Delhi with a request to convene a stakeholder meeting to devise a structured approach to managing and rehabilitating stray dogs. “Given the circumstances of this case, it is imperative for the authorities to formulate a rehabilitation policy for stray dogs,” the Court said in its order dated May 21. Justice Pushkarna highlighted that such a policy decision should not be left to piecemeal action and must be taken up jointly by relevant agencies.
The plea prompting this order was filed by Pratima Devi, popularly known as ‘Dog Amma’, an elderly woman who has been caring for over 200 stray dogs in a makeshift shelter. The Court raised concerns over the potential risks of releasing such a large number of dogs into open urban spaces without a comprehensive plan, citing media reports and other legal petitions documenting dog attacks. Recognising the scale of the issue, the Court noted the need to balance animal welfare with public safety. It stressed that without proper institutional support, unsupervised stray dog populations could pose serious hazards to residents. The next hearing is scheduled for August 6, by which time stakeholders are expected to begin work on a draft policy or collaborative solution.
The High Court’s directive is likely to pave the way for a broader policy discussion around stray animal management in Indian cities — a long-neglected aspect of urban governance.
