The Supreme Court on Friday reversed its earlier order on stray dogs, ruling that non-aggressive and non-rabid canines in Delhi-NCR will not be relocated to shelters. Instead, these dogs will be sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to their original neighborhoods, prompting jubilant celebrations among activists and dog lovers at Jantar Mantar.

The court’s ruling, delivered by a three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, alongside Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, addressed concerns raised by animal welfare groups who protested the August 11 directive mandating the permanent relocation of strays. The earlier order had sparked nationwide protests, with activists arguing that shelters lacked the capacity to house the region’s large stray dog population. “This is a historic victory for compassion,” one activist exclaimed, as celebrants hugged and chanted slogans like “Har Har Mahadev” in gratitude.

The court also introduced measures to ensure humane management of strays, directing municipal authorities to create designated feeding areas in each ward based on stray dog populations. Additionally, the bench encouraged adoption, allowing individuals to apply to municipal bodies to adopt tagged strays, with the responsibility to keep them off the streets. However, aggressive or rabid dogs will continue to be rounded up from areas like Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram.

Also Read: Sambhal Mosque Case on Hold Until August 25

To fund infrastructure improvements for stray dog welfare, the court ordered NGOs and individual dog lovers who challenged the earlier ruling to deposit Rs 2 lakh and Rs 25,000, respectively, within a week. These funds will support facilities under municipal oversight. “This decision balances kindness and science,” said an elated activist, reflecting the relief felt by those who share a deep bond with Delhi’s “street kids.”

Also Read: Supreme Court Shields Journalists from Assam Police