On August 22, 2025, India’s Supreme Court revised its initial August 11 directive concerning the handling of stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region. The earlier judgment had ordered the removal and shelter transfer of all street dogs, prohibiting their return to public spaces. This decision triggered a strong backlash from animal welfare advocates, who argued that it violated the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules and failed to consider humane, science-based alternatives .

Responding to the outcry, a three-judge bench led by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria modified the order. Now, stray dogs must be sterilised, dewormed, and vaccinated before being released back into their original localities, with exceptions only for those that are rabid or exhibit aggressive behavior. Additionally, the court prohibited public feeding of strays and directed municipal authorities to create designated feeding zones, enforceable through signage and penalties .

The Supreme Court also expanded the scope of the case nationwide by impleading all States and Union Territories and transferring related cases from various High Courts for a uniform national policy.

This revised order marks a significant shift toward humane urban animal management - balancing public safety concerns with ethical and community-oriented practices.