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After Supreme Court’s Stray Dog Order in Delhi-NCR, Madras High Court Drops a Big Hint for Tamil Nadu
India’s debate over stray dogs has entered a new chapter. On 11 August 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued a sweeping directive for Delhi-NCR: remove all stray dogs from public spaces and move them to shelters within eight weeks. The move, aimed at tackling rising incidents of dog bites and rabies, has been met with both applause and outrage.
Barely 24 hours later, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court hinted at the possibility of adopting similar measures for Tamil Nadu — a signal that could reshape how the state handles its long-standing stray dog challenge.
What Exactly Did the Supreme Court Order?
The apex court’s order, delivered by a bench headed by Justice BR Gavai, instructed the Delhi government and municipal bodies to:
- Conduct a comprehensive roundup of stray dogs within eight weeks.
- Move them to designated shelters for permanent housing — without release back onto streets.
- Ensure safety of children and vulnerable populations in public spaces.
- Initiate penal action against individuals or groups obstructing the process.
The court cited public health and safety concerns, pointing to an alarming rise in dog bite incidents — some fatal — and the spread of rabies in urban areas.
Why the Order Triggered Controversy
While the Supreme Court positioned the directive as a safety measure, it sparked an immediate storm for several reasons:
Conflict with Existing Law
- The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 mandate that street dogs be caught, sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to their original location — a policy intended to control population without removing dogs from their familiar territories.
- The SC’s shelter-only policy effectively overrides this framework.
Animal Welfare Concerns
- Animal rights groups argue that sheltering all stray dogs is impractical, inhumane, and unsustainable.
- Many shelters already face overcrowding, inadequate veterinary care, and poor living conditions.
Risk of Ecological Disruption
- Removal of dogs could lead to an increase in rodents and other pests, altering urban ecological balance.
Reactions Across India
Political Leaders Speak Out
- Rahul Gandhi urged the court to reconsider, stressing compassion and adherence to ABC laws.
- John Abraham, actor and animal rights activist, wrote to the Chief Justice expressing concern over the welfare of the dogs.
- Ritika Sajdeh, public figure and animal lover, called the order “heartbreaking,” saying, “They call it a menace, we call it a heartbeat.”
Chief Justice’s Response
Interestingly, CJI BR Gavai himself hinted at being open to reviewing the decision, saying, “I will look into this.”
Madras High Court’s ‘Big Hint’
On 12 August 2025, during a hearing on stray animal petitions, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court indicated that it might recommend adopting Delhi’s shelter-based model for Tamil Nadu.
Justice G.R. Swaminathan, who has been vocal about the stray dog menace in the state, stated that the court would examine the Supreme Court’s guidelines in detail before issuing its own orders.
Tamil Nadu’s Earlier Measures
The Madras High Court’s involvement in stray dog issues is not new:
- February 2025 – Directed the state to draft an effective stray dog management strategy, including:
- A dog census starting March 2025.
- Volunteer involvement.
- Budget allocation for sterilization and vaccination.
- August 2025 (Before SC Order) – Ordered the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to submit a time-bound, cruelty-free action plan, possibly including:
- A dedicated municipal animal control department.
- Partnership with NGOs.
- Humane handling protocols.
What Could Adoption Mean for Tamil Nadu?
If Tamil Nadu mirrors Delhi’s model, it would mean:
- Mass collection of stray dogs from streets across cities like Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore.
- Expansion of shelter infrastructure — a costly and logistically complex undertaking.
- Shift in ABC enforcement — potentially sidelining the catch-sterilize-release approach.
- Legal challenges from activists citing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and ABC Rules.
The Legal Tightrope
The crux of the matter lies in balancing public safety with animal rights.
- For Safety Advocates: The shelter model could drastically cut dog bite cases, especially involving children and elderly citizens.
- For Animal Welfare Groups: Mass sheltering risks high mortality rates, stress, and disease spread among confined dogs.
Legal experts warn that unless the Supreme Court revises the ABC Rules or issues a binding constitutional interpretation, states adopting the Delhi model could face litigation from animal rights bodies.
Implementation Challenges in Tamil Nadu
Even if the Madras High Court formalizes its hint into a directive, Tamil Nadu will need to tackle:
- Infrastructure Readiness
- Sufficient shelter space, ventilation, and medical facilities.
- Funding
- Large-scale collection and care could require hundreds of crores annually.
- Trained Manpower
- Skilled handlers, veterinarians, and volunteers.
- Public Sensitization
- Community awareness campaigns to reduce resistance.