The Supreme Court of India will today hear a Special Leave Petition filed by the Dog Home Foundation challenging sweeping directions issued by the Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur, on August 11, 2025. The High Court, taking suo motu cognizance of rising stray animal-related incidents, ordered the removal of all stray dogs, cattle, and other animals from city roads, highways, colonies, and public premises, restricting their feeding to municipal shelters and gaushalas.
The petitioner NGO has argued that the order is unconstitutional and ultra vires the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 (as amended in 2023). It contends that the blanket removal of animals disregards statutory sterilisation-vaccination protocols, infringes the constitutional rights of animals under Article 21, violates citizens’ duty of compassion under Article 51A(g), and disrupts ecological balance under Article 48A.
The case has been listed before a Special Bench of the Supreme Court today. The petition has been filed by AoR Pragya Parijat Singh.