The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned state governments that they may be required to pay substantial compensation for every injury or death caused by stray dogs. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria highlighted that for over 75 years, little action had been taken to address the growing menace of stray dogs across the country.

Justice Nath observed that the consequences of a dog bite can be lifelong and criticized states for failing to ensure public safety. The bench suggested that responsibility and accountability should extend to individuals and organizations feeding stray dogs, questioning why these animals “should be littering around everywhere and frightening, chasing, and biting people.”

Senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy, representing an animal welfare organization, stressed that humane approaches such as sterilization and vaccination were essential, but regulators had largely failed to enforce these measures. The court also noted the under-utilization of central funds meant for controlling stray dog populations under the ABC Rules.

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The bench raised poignant questions regarding accountability, asking who should be held responsible if a child or elderly person is killed by stray dogs fed or protected by animal lovers’ groups. Justice Mehta noted that this case represented one of the longest hearings in recent times focused on human safety, emphasizing the severity of the issue.

The Supreme Court is currently monitoring compliance with its November 2025 order, which directed local authorities to remove stray dogs from public spaces such as bus stands, railway stations, hospitals, and schools, ensure vaccination and sterilization, and prevent their release back into the same areas. Several animal rights groups have filed applications seeking modifications to this order.

The case will continue on January 20, 2026, as the apex court plans to examine the roles of central and state governments in preventing attacks and ensuring that stray dogs do not pose a danger to the public. The bench indicated that strict action, including heavy compensation, could be enforced if lapses persist.

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