India's Supreme Court has ordered the removal of all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) within eight weeks, directing authorities to relocate the animals to dedicated shelters established by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The directive comes amid rising public safety concerns following a surge in dog bite cases and rabies infections, particularly among children. The court mandated that new shelters must accommodate at least 5,000 dogs each and include sterilization, vaccination, and CCTV monitoring facilities. Estimates suggest that Delhi alone may have up to one million stray dogs, complicating efforts to implement the order. The Supreme Court warned against any resistance to the roundup and criticized government and civic bodies for inaction in addressing the stray dog crisis. The decision bypasses existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules, prompting criticism from animal welfare groups and activists who argue the order is impractical, illegal, and could lead to animal cruelty. Some political leaders and animal rights advocates have called for a review of the ruling, citing concerns over shelter capacity and humane treatment. Despite opposition and protests, including detentions of activists, the court has reserved its verdict on pleas seeking an interim stay of the order. Public opinion surveys indicate that a majority support the court’s decision due to safety concerns. The issue has sparked a national debate on balancing public health and animal welfare, with some regional courts urging other states to follow Delhi’s example. The Delhi government has expressed commitment to implementing the order in phases, prioritizing dogs prone to biting. The Supreme Court’s Solicitor General highlighted data showing that sterilization and vaccination alone do not prevent rabies transmission or dog attacks. The estimated cost of managing the stray dog population in Delhi is reported to be around ₹11 crore daily. The case continues to evolve as the Supreme Court’s newly constituted three-judge bench reassesses the order amid ongoing public and legal challenges.