SC Questions Petitioner on Feeding Stray Animals at Home

Quick Summary

• Supreme Court Hearing: On july 15, 2025, the Supreme Court heard a plea alleging harassment over the feeding of community dogs in Noida. The petitioner claimed compliance with Animal Birth Control Rules but faced challenges implementing them.
• SC Remarks: A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta suggested that petitioners feed dogs within their homes instead of public spaces, questioning whether human spaces shoudl be compromised.
• Animal Birth Control Rules (2023): Rule 20 mandates local bodies or associations to arrange for feeding community animals in respective areas while balancing public safety and animal welfare.
• High Court Observations: in March 2025,the Allahabad High Court emphasized striking a balance between protecting street animals per legal statutes and addressing public concerns about safety on streets due to stray dog attacks.
• Safety Concerns: The Supreme Court noted risks posed by stray dogs to pedestrians, cyclists, and morning walkers.It tagged the plea alongside another similar case.

indian Opinion Analysis

the plea underscores India’s ongoing challenge of balancing animal welfare with public safety concerns amidst growing incidents involving stray dog attacks. While Rule 20 of the Animal Birth Control Rules provides provisions for humane treatment of street animals, its practical implementation remains contentious due to space limitations in urban areas like Noida. Both courts have highlighted key issues: safety risks posed by strays versus ethical considerations under laws such as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The Supreme Court’s suggestion for private shelters reflects practical difficulties authorities face in accommodating both interests-community feeders and pedestrians encountering potential threats from strays. Striking this balance requires consistent policies across municipalities and active cooperation between Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), local authorities, and citizens.

Though legally protected under complete frameworks like ABC Rules (2023), effective enforcement calls for sensitization campaigns alongside infrastructural solutions for designated feeding zones away from high pedestrian activity areas-all without compromising population control measures or animal protection statutes.

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