More humane ::: Supreme Court's big order to curb stray dog attacks ::: Ground realities where children, international travellers, old-aged people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents !! No FIR against officers in respect of bonafide action !!!

 Euthanise if necessary: Supreme Court's big order to curb stray dog attacks

The three-member bench said the right to live with dignity encompasses the right to live freely without threat of harm from dog bites, and the court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers and the elderly have fallen victim to dog bite incidents.

In its November 2025 order, the Supreme Court of India directed authorities to remove stray dogs from public institutions and transport hubs, and relocate them to shelters instead of releasing them back.

Important Take Aways:

The state (Govts) cannot remain a passive spectator. The court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers, old-aged people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents. The Constitution doesn’t envisage a society where children and elderly people are to survive on the mercy of physical strength.  

Comprehensive capacity-building measures are to be undertaken, including training of personnel, augmenting of veterinary services, strengthening of shelter facilities and a vaccination drive in coordination with the concerned/relevant departments. 

No FIR or criminal proceeding shall be initiated against the officers in respect of bonafide action undertaken for the purpose of implementing the directions of this court.  

Statistics show stray dog bite incidents are rising across the country. In Rajasthan, 1,483 cases were reported in Sri Ganganagar in three months, while Udaipur recorded over 1,700 cases in 2026. In Tamil Nadu, 240,000 cases were reported this year, including 71,000 in March and 34 deaths. 

The threat has reached sensitive locations like Indira Gandhi International Airport, where stray dogs have been found at terminals and even runways, exposing a grave failure in public safety measures.  

Take such measures as may be legally permissible, including euthanasia, in cases involving rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous/aggressive dogs to effectively curb the threat caused to human life and safety.

Young children have been mauled by dogs, senior citizens have been attacked, and even foreign tourists have been affected. It appears that Darwin's theory of the "Survival of the Fittest" is coming into play. Children and the elderly cannot be left alone to fight for their survival in the absence of government action. It is the government's duty to ensure the protection of people's lives and safety.

The bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, 

Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria 

passed this direction in the suo motu case taken over the stray dog menace. 

Referring to the "deeply disturbing" reports about the rise in dog bite cases, especially against children and older people, the Court refused to modify its earlier directions to the authorities to remove stray dogs from the premises of educational institutions, bus stands, railway stations, sports complexes, hospitals, etc.  

States and UTs to take decisive and coordinated time-bound steps for enhancing and augmenting the necessary infrastructure for the Animal Birth Control centres (ABC) framework. 

 Ensure establishment of at least one fully functional ABC centre in each district duly equipped with requisite infrastructure and trained personnel, surgical facilities and supporting logistics. 

Having regard to population density and territorial extent of each district, a decision to be taken regarding the expansion of the number of ABC centres. 

There has been a “discernible absence” of sustained systemic and incremental efforts on the part of states and UTs to build infrastructure to deal with the rising population of stray dogs. 

ends