Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh announced on Friday that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will “100 per cent” comply with the Supreme Court’s latest directives on managing stray dogs in the national capital region. The announcement follows the court’s modification of its August 11 order, which now allows sterilized and vaccinated stray dogs to be released back into their original areas, except for those showing aggressive behavior or suspected of rabies.

“We welcome the Supreme Court’s decision and will implement it with full strength,” Singh declared, emphasizing the MCD’s commitment to balancing public safety with animal welfare. “Dogs are dear to us, but the public should not face any problems,” he added. The mayor highlighted that only aggressive dogs or those involved in attacks will be targeted for relocation, while others will be vaccinated, sterilized, and returned to their neighborhoods.

The MCD operates 20 Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres, which will play a central role in executing the court’s orders. Singh noted that these centres will ramp up efforts to sterilize and vaccinate strays, ensuring compliance with the new guidelines. The Supreme Court’s ruling also mandates the creation of dedicated feeding spaces in municipal wards, tailored to the local stray dog population, to prevent feeding on public streets—a move aimed at reducing human-animal conflicts.

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The court’s decision has brought relief to dog lovers who were previously concerned about the blanket prohibition on releasing strays from shelters. “Even dog lovers are satisfied with this balanced approach,” Singh remarked, stressing that the MCD’s actions will prioritize both human safety and humane treatment of animals. The court clarified that dogs suspected of rabies or displaying aggression will not be released, ensuring public safety remains paramount.

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