India's Supreme Court is currently deliberating on regulations concerning stray dogs in response to a surge in dog bite incidents across the country. The court has reserved its order in the case after hearing arguments from various stakeholders, including animal rights activists, dog lovers, victims of dog bite incidents, and lawyers representing the central and state governments.
The issue gained significant attention following a media report about stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children in Delhi, which prompted the Supreme Court to take up the matter. The court's concern grew after noting an "alarming rise" in dog bite incidents in institutional areas like schools and hospitals. In response, the court had directed authorities to remove stray dogs from public places and institutions, housing them in shelters, and ensuring that the dogs are not released back into the same localities. This order was later modified to mandate the vaccination and sterilization of dogs before their release.
During the proceedings, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria expressed strong displeasure with several states for not taking adequate measures such as sterilizing stray dogs, establishing dog pounds, and removing dogs from institutional campuses. The court criticized the states for providing vague and evasive information, with the bench stating that they were "building castles in the air" and engaging in "storytelling". The court also said that it would pass strictures against states that had submitted vague affidavits.
The Supreme Court scrutinized data from various states, revealing significant shortcomings in their handling of the stray dog issue. For example, the court was shocked to learn that Assam reported 166,000 dog bite cases in 2024 but had only one dog center. The court also noted that in January 2025 alone, Assam had 20,900 dog bite cases. Advocate Gaurav Agrawal, assisting the court as amicus curiae, pointed out that Andhra Pradesh has 39 Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers capable of sterilizing 1,619 dogs daily and suggested auditing these facilities to ensure they are fully utilized and setting timelines for establishing new ABC centers.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been directed to remove stray animals from national highways and fence the roads. The court suggested that the NHAI develop a mobile application for citizens to report sightings of stray animals on highways with photo uploads for real-time tracking. The NHAI also informed the court about its efforts to identify vulnerable locations and coordinate with state authorities to secure and isolate stray animals.
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has been directed to expedite the processing of pending applications from organizations seeking recognition for animal shelters and ABC programs. The court emphasized the need for the AWBI to either approve or reject these applications within a specific timeframe.
The Supreme Court’s involvement highlights the urgent need for effective and humane solutions to manage the growing stray dog population and mitigate the risk of dog bite incidents. The court's final verdict is expected to provide clear directions and guidelines for states and local authorities to address this complex issue, balancing animal welfare with public safety concerns.
