'Vax And Release' Stray Dogs: Has Sc Settled The Debate?

On August 22, 2025, the Supreme Court modified its earlier directive regarding stray dogs in Delhi and the NCR. The new order allows healthy stray dogs to be released back into the same area after sterilisation, deworming, and vaccination. However, rabid or aggressive dogs must be kept in separate shelters and not returned to the streets under any circumstances. The Court emphasized humane treatment while balancing public safety, urging authorities to act responsibly and compassionately. However big questions still remain on whether the measures are feasible and if the infrastructure exists to pull it off. This ruling attempts to walk a tightrope between compassion and caution—but its success depends on ground-level execution, not courtroom ideals. Whether Delhi becomes a model for humane stray dog management or struggles with enforcement will shape how other cities respond to similar challenges