The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on states and union territories for failing to act against the growing menace of stray dog attacks. Expressing visible frustration, the bench said that these recurring incidents were “affecting the global image” of India, especially as international media continued to highlight such stories.
“The continuous incidents are happening, and the country’s image is being shown as down in the eyes of foreign nations. We are also reading news reports,” Justice Vikram Nath remarked, as murmurs of agreement filled the packed courtroom.
Background
The case, a suo motu matter concerning stray dog management, has been under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny for several months. Earlier, a two-judge bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala had ordered all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to be moved to shelters. The direction sparked outrage among animal welfare groups and residents alike, who called it “impractical” and “inhumane.”
In response, the Supreme Court later formed a three-judge bench-comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria-to take a more balanced approach. This bench modified the earlier order, clarifying that only “aggressive or rabies-suspected” dogs should be kept in shelters, while others could remain free under supervision.
To ensure uniformity, the bench expanded the case’s scope to cover the entire country and asked all States and Union Territories to file affidavits detailing compliance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. The Court also directed that stray dogs be fed only at officially designated spots to prevent street chaos and conflicts between residents and feeders.
Court’s Observations
When the matter came up today, the judges appeared visibly upset that-barring West Bengal and Telangana-no other State had complied with the Court’s earlier orders. The bench’s tone shifted from concern to sternness as it noted that “the issue cannot be brushed aside as routine.”
Justice Nath observed that repeated cases of dog attacks were not just administrative failures but also humanitarian concerns. “The continuous negligence is leading to injuries, even deaths, and it’s not fair to the public,” he said.
At one point, when a counsel representing an animal rights group spoke about “cruelty towards dogs,” Justice Sandeep Mehta interjected sharply, “What about the cruelty towards humans?” The remark prompted a brief silence, underscoring the Court’s shift toward prioritizing human safety while maintaining compassion for animals.
The bench also pointed out that lack of coordination between municipal bodies and State authorities had made the implementation of ABC Rules ineffective. Justice Anjaria noted that despite multiple orders, “many local authorities treat this as someone else’s problem.”
Decision
Concluding the hearing, the Supreme Court summoned the Chief Secretaries of all defaulting States and Union Territories to appear in person next Monday. The Court directed them to explain why compliance reports were not filed despite repeated reminders.
Read also:- Delhi High Court Quashes Cheque Bounce Cases Against Sri Sai Sapthagiri Sponge Pvt Ltd, Rules
The bench made it clear that this would be the “final opportunity” before the Court considered coercive steps. “This issue is not just about animals; it’s about governance and responsibility,” Justice Nath said before rising.
With that, the hearing ended-but the message was unmistakable. The Court’s patience has thinned, and the next hearing could determine whether the matter remains administrative or escalates into a larger constitutional concern about public safety and civic accountability.
Case: In Re: Stray Dog Menace and Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules Compliance
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria
Date of Hearing: Monday, October 27, 2025
