India's Supreme Court on August 11 ordered authorities in New Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) to relocate all stray dogs to shelters within eight weeks. The directive aims to address a surge in dog bite incidents and rising rabies cases, particularly among children. Reports estimate there are approximately one million stray dogs in New Delhi. The court mandated that each shelter must accommodate at least 5,000 dogs and provide sterilization, vaccination, and CCTV monitoring. The order bypasses existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules, prompting criticism from animal welfare groups and activists who raised concerns about the feasibility, legality, and potential cruelty of mass dog removal. Some activists and political figures described the judgment as impractical and hastily made, warning it could disrupt ongoing sterilization and vaccination efforts critical to controlling rabies. Local authorities, including Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, expressed intent to comply with the ruling, emphasizing phased implementation starting with dogs prone to biting. The Supreme Court subsequently assigned a three-judge bench to reassess the order amid public backlash and conflicting legal opinions. As of mid-August, the court reserved its verdict on pleas challenging the directive but refused to grant an interim stay, citing public safety risks and government concerns over rabies-related deaths. The debate has sparked protests by animal rights activists and dog lovers in Delhi, who argue that the order is inhumane and that municipal bodies should handle stray dog management. Prominent voices in politics and civil society called for a more balanced approach that considers both human safety and animal welfare.