Context

In July 2025, the Supreme Court questioned a Noida resident accused of being harassed for feeding stray dogs in public. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta asked:

“Why don’t you feed them in your own house?”
They expressed concern over public safety and pedestrian accessibility, suggesting domestic feeding as a safer alternative.

Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023

• The rules supersede the 2001 version under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, directing local bodies such as RWAs, municipalities, and Panchayats to manage canine population through sterilisation and vaccination (ABC programme).
• Official terminology: “community animals” (not merely stray dogs), acknowledging their territorial and integrated presence in human habitats.
• Rule?20 stipulates that Resident Welfare Associations, Apartment Owners Associations, or local bodies must provide designated feeding arrangements within their jurisdiction, following protocols to ensure public safety and hygiene

Constitutional Foundations

• Article 21 (Right to Life & Liberty) has been interpreted to include animal life, notably in cases like Animal Welfare Board vs Nagaraja (2014), affirming that animal welfare is intrinsic to human dignity.
• Fundamental Duty (Article 51A-(g)) mandates citizens to show compassion toward living creatures, underscoring ethical responsibilities in urban governance.

Feeding Protocols & Best Practices

On Responsibilities

• The rules assign feeding coordination to RWAs or equivalent bodies, who must ensure:
  • Feeding spots are away from staircases, children’s play areas, or high-traffic zones.
  • Timed feeding schedules to minimize human–animal conflicts.
  • Regular cleanliness and waste disposal at feeding sites

Court’s Perspective

• Though the Court raised concerns, it issued no binding directive requiring individuals to feed animals only inside homes.
• The observations appeared more exploratory and aimed at weighing pedestrian safety, not overriding ABC mandates.

Issues & Civic Responses

Conflicts on Ground

• Residents Welfare Associations in cities like Delhi have pushed back, citing safety issues and irregular feeding leading to growing stray dog aggression. Many demand:
  • No street feeding, establishment of permanent shelters, and revisions to ABC Rules to remove RWA responsibilities altogether.

Public Health Considerations

• Unregulated waste and discarded dog food contribute to rodent infestations. For instance, Bengaluru has reported leptospirosis outbreaks linked to such issues, emphasizing need for controlled feeding protocols.

Innovative Models

• Bengaluru’s BBMP is running a pilot program serving cooked chicken-waste meals at designated spots, costing ?19 per dog per day. This initiative aims to improve sterilisation uptake and reduce aggression while complying with ABC and AWBI guidelines.

Key Takeaways

Way Forward

• Balance ABC Rules compliance with public safety: ensure feeding spots are well-placed and managed.
• Strengthen RWA awareness and capacity, linking caregivers, vaccination drives, and hygiene measures.
• Encourage municipal intervention to establish shelters and feeding zones with clear guidelines.
• Expand community awareness campaigns, emphasizing sterilisation, vaccination, and safe coexistence practices.