Supreme Court Allows Euthanasia Of Rabid And Aggressive Stray Dogs In Public Safety Ruling

The Supreme Court of India has passed a significant order allowing authorities to euthanise rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably aggressive stray dogs, while hearing a batch of petitions seeking modification of its earlier directions on stray dog management. The ruling was delivered by a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria, which also upheld its earlier stance on the removal of stray dogs from public spaces. The court said such measures must be carried out strictly in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules and other applicable legal protocols.

In its observations, the apex court described the growing presence of stray dogs in public areas as “alarming” and expressed concern over rising incidents of dog attacks. The bench noted that it could not ignore repeated reports of dog bites, particularly involving children and elderly citizens. It added that the safety of human life must remain a priority while balancing animal welfare considerations under the law.

The court refused to modify its earlier directions that required authorities to remove stray dogs from sensitive public locations such as hospitals, parks, railway stations, and similar high-footfall areas. It reiterated that such animals, once sterilised, should not be released back into the same public spaces, marking a continued emphasis on strict containment and relocation measures for stray populations.

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In addition, the court criticised several state governments for what it described as non-compliance with previous orders related to stray dog management. The bench observed that the lack of effective implementation had contributed to persistent safety concerns and rising incidents involving aggressive animals in urban areas. It stressed that authorities must ensure proper enforcement of guidelines issued by the judiciary.

The order also reaffirmed restrictions on feeding stray dogs in public spaces, allowing it only in designated areas to prevent crowding and territorial aggression. Several animal welfare organisations and activists had approached the court seeking relaxation of earlier directives, but the bench dismissed the petitions, maintaining that public safety concerns outweighed the requests for modification.

The ruling is expected to have wide-ranging implications for municipal bodies across the country, which will now be required to strictly follow updated legal and procedural guidelines in handling stray dog populations, especially in cases involving aggression, disease, or public safety risks.

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