Supreme Court Revises Order on Stray Dogs, Allows Release: Remembering Ratan Tata’s Pioneering Work for Strays

On Friday, the Supreme Court of India revised its previous directive regarding the treatment of stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region. The earlier order, which had mandated the confinement of all stray dogs in shelters and prohibited their release, has now been modified.

Supreme Courts' Judgement on Stray Dogs

A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria ruled that stray dogs can be returned to their original locations once they have been properly dewormed and vaccinated. The Court stated that the earlier restriction on releasing the animals will remain suspended for now, allowing the dogs to go back to their respective areas following necessary medical care.

Tata Group's Ex Chairman Ratan Tata's Love For Strays Dogs

This ruling by the Supreme Court has reignited conversation around animal welfare in India, which reminds us of the great industrialist of India, Ratan Tata, an issue close to his heart, as he has long championed the cause of stray dogs. For decades, he led compassionate initiatives to support and protect stray animals. Under his guidance, the Tata Group's Bombay House became the first corporate office in India to officially welcome stray dogs.

Ratan Tata's Bombay House: Corporate Home for Stray Dogs

At Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group in Mumbai, stray dogs are not turned away-they are welcomed. Under Ratan Tata's direction, a dedicated kennel was set up inside the building.

Fully air-conditioned and equipped with beds, food, and regular veterinary care, it serves as a safe haven for the city's strays. What began as a gesture of kindness has now become symbolic of Tata's deeper commitment to inclusivity-even for animals.

Stray Dogs Allowed at the Taj Mahal Hotel

Tata's compassion for animals is not limited to corporate offices. At the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel-another jewel in the Tata Group's crown-stray dogs are allowed to rest peacefully within the hotel's premises. Guests and staff often share the space with these four-legged visitors, a testament to the humane ethos instilled across Tata-owned properties.

Rata Tata's Ambitious Project for Animal Welfare: India's First Multi-Speciality Animal Hospital

One of Ratan Tata's most ambitious projects in animal welfare is the Small Animal Hospital in South Mumbai. Developed through the Tata Trusts and built at a cost of over Rs 165 crore, this not-for-profit facility is the first of its kind in India, offering world-class medical care to both pets and strays. With emergency rooms, ICUs, diagnostic imaging, and surgical units, the hospital stands as a game-changing initiative in the field of veterinary medicine.

Ratan Tata has also used his influential presence on social media to advocate for the welfare of stray animals. During Mumbai's monsoons, he always shared messages urging drivers to check under their cars before starting them, as stray dogs often take shelter there.