Feeding of strays: ‘Why don’t you feed them in your house?’ SC asks petitioner-OxBig News Network

As stray dog menace continues to trouble residents in cities across India, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said dog lovers should feed them in their own houses.

“Why don’t you feed them in your own house? Nobody is stopping you,” a Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta told the petitioner’s counsel while hearing a petition alleging harassment over feeding stray dogs in Noida.

“We should leave every lane, every road open for these large-hearted people? There is all space for these animals, no space for humans?” wondered the Bench after the petitioner’s counsel complained that his client was subjected to harassment and was unable to feed community dogs in line with the Animal Birth Control Rules.

Rule 20 of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 puts onus on resident welfare association or apartment owner association or local body’s representative of the local area to make necessary arrangements for feeding of community animals residing in the premises or that area.

The Bench, however, said, “We give you a suggestion…open a shelter in your own house and feed every dog in the community in your own house.”

The petitioner’s counsel claimed compliance with the rules and said the authorities were creating such places in Greater Noida but not in Noida. He said feeding points could be made at a place not frequented by people.

“You go on cycling in the morning…try doing it and see what happens,” it asked

“Morning walkers are also at risk. Cycle riders and two-wheelers are at greater risk,” it said and went on to tag the plea with another case on a similar issue.

The matter related to a March 2025 order of the Allahabad High Court where the petitioner had sought directions to the authorities to implement provisions of the rules with due care and caution keeping in view the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

“While protection of street dogs would be warranted in accordance with the provisions of the applicable statute, at the same time, the authorities will have to bear in mind the concern of common man, such that their movement on streets is not hampered due to attacks by these street dogs,” the high court said.

The high court said the state authorities were expected to exhibit “due sensitivity” to the concerns of the petitioner and the common man on the streets in view of instances of attacks by street dogs which resulted in loss of lives and grave inconvenience to pedestrians. It also directed the authorities to ensure that concerns highlighted by it were duly taken care of and appropriate measures were taken to ensure protection of strays besides ensuring that interest of people on the streets was not jeopardised.