Stray Dog Case | 'We'll Play A Video & Ask What Is Humanity' : Supreme Court On Claim That MCD's Treatment Of Dogs Was 'Inhuman'

The Supreme Court today said it would play a video in the next hearing in the stray dogs case and ask what constitutes “humanity”, after Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal objected to implementation of rules framed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, describing the treatment of dogs as per the MCD rules as inhuman.

The matter was scheduled today before a three-judge bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria. However, the bench was cancelled, and the matter was adjourned to January 7.

Therefore, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before the division bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, requesting early hearing in light of the MCD Rules.

Sibal described the treatment of dogs as “very very inhuman”. He said that the MCD had framed rules completely contrary to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. He submitted that the authorities were proceeding to implement the new rules in December itself.

However, the bench refused to give an early hearing. Justice Nath said, “Alright, we can't help it now.” Justice Mehta told Sibal, “On the next date, we will play a video for your benefit and we will ask you what is humanity.”

Sibal replied that he would also play a video to show what was happening on the ground. “We will also play a video of what's happening. The problem is Your Lordships have passed an order we respect that. But the point is there are statutory rules my lords…”, he said.

He urged the Court to hear the matter earlier, stating that the authorities did not even have dog shelters and that dogs were being removed in the meantime.

The Court said it would consider the matter on January 7.

The suo motu case was initiated by the Supreme Court on July 28 over media reports on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.

On November 7, referring to multiple reports of dog bites in schools, hospitals, railway stations and sports complexes, the Court had observed that the recurrence of such incidents reflected serious administrative lapses and a systemic failure to secure citizens' right to safety under Article 21 of the Constitution. It had noted that more than 90 percent of human rabies cases result from bites by domestic or stray dogs, with children, elderly persons and economically weaker sections bearing the brunt due to their vulnerability and lack of timely access to post-exposure treatment.

The Court directed the removal of stray dogs from institutional premises such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and railway stations, and their relocation to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination. It also directed that dogs picked up from such places should not be released back at the same location.

Case no. – SMW(C) No. 5/2025

Case Title – In Re : 'City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price'