The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over a rising number of stray dog attacks on children and the elderly, citing numerous videos circulating online, while hearing a case on stray dog management for the third consecutive day. The Bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria, clarified that the matter should not become a contest between animal cruelty claims and public safety incidents.
The case gained national attention following a 2025 order directing municipal authorities to remove stray dogs from institutional areas and highways. Earlier, the Court had ruled that sterilised and vaccinated dogs should be released rather than confined permanently, while also instructing schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities to fence premises to prevent dog bites. Authorities were also warned against returning removed dogs to the same locations.
Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, representing the Karan Puri Foundation, highlighted the effectiveness of the Capture, Sterilise, Vaccinate, and Release (CSVR) model. He argued that institutional and constitutional empathy must guide implementation, adding that his client had submitted videos demonstrating compliance with the Court’s directions and showing successful coexistence between dogs and humans.
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Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for an animal rights organisation, emphasized that the Court’s intervention is limited, as existing laws and rules already provide a framework. He recommended relying on domain experts alongside legal advisors to ensure evidence-based and practical measures for managing stray dog populations.
Other parties suggested stricter enforcement of Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules, zoning public areas to be free from stray dogs, and using color-coded collars to identify aggressive animals. The Supreme Court is expected to continue hearings on January 13, aiming to strike a balance between animal welfare and public safety.
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