Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai has assured stakeholders of a re-examination of the Supreme Court’s directive requiring the removal of all stray dogs from residential areas across Delhi-NCR. The original order, issued on August 11, mandated shifting stray dogs to shelters within eight weeks, citing rising dog-bite incidents and public safety concerns. Civic bodies including those in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram were tasked with implementation. 

The decision sparked immediate backlash from animal rights advocates, celebrities, and public figures. Critics label the mandate impractical and inhumane, warning of overcrowded shelters, ecological imbalance, and potential cost overruns running into thousands of crores. Meanwhile, civic bodies are confronting glaring infrastructure and logistical challenges; for instance, Gurugram has capacity for only 100 dogs despite an estimated stray population of around 50,000. 

Amid mounting dissent, CJI Gavai’s assurance of a “relook” could pave the way for a more humane, scientifically grounded approach—potentially balancing public safety concerns with animal welfare imperatives.