Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Delhi High Court Asks Centre to Finalise Service-Dog SOP
The Delhi High Court wants the government to finish rules for service dogs that help people with disabilities.
A draft set of rules has been shown to the court.
People have been invited to give their views on it.
Suggestions include registering each dog and giving it a unique number.
Another suggestion is for the dogs to wear special-coloured collars so people can recognise them.
Some participants also suggested muzzling the dogs in crowded places such as malls and hospitals.
The government’s lawyer said these ideas would be sent to the relevant authorities for consideration.
The case was brought by the Dhananjay Sanjogta Foundation.
The court expects the rules to be finalised by the next hearing on January 7, 2027.
The Delhi High Court asked the Centre to finalise a draft SOP for service dogs assisting persons with disabilities.
The draft was presented by officials from the animal husbandry and disability empowerment departments, who said public and stakeholder objections had been invited.
Suggestions included keeping a register of service dogs and giving each dog a unique registration number.
Distinctively coloured collars were proposed to help the public and security personnel identify service dogs.
Muzzling dogs in crowded places was also suggested; the next hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2027.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, the Centre and the Dhananjay Sanjogta Foundation.
- What
- The court asked the Centre to finalise a draft SOP for service dogs assisting persons with disabilities.
- When
- The hearing took place on October 6; the next hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2027.
- Where
- Delhi High Court, India.
- Why
- The petition raised concerns about risks from stray-animal attacks and the lack of a framework for persons with disabilities to use service or therapy animals.
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Order/hearing date
- October 6
- Next hearing
- January 7, 2027
- Petitioner
- Dhananjay Sanjogta Foundation
- Draft under consideration
- Standard operating procedure for service dogs assisting persons with disabilities
- Identification proposals
- A register, individual registration numbers and distinctively coloured collars
- Crowded-place proposal
- Muzzle service dogs in places such as cinemas, malls and hospitals
- Petition filed
- 2024; it challenged the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 over their treatment of risks to persons with disabilities
