Published on: 13 Aug 2025, 4:45 pm
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday delivered a significant judgment addressing the management of stray dog populations across the country, directing municipal bodies and state governments to adopt a balanced approach that safeguards both public safety and animal welfare.
The Bench, while disposing of a batch of petitions concerning stray dog attacks and relocation, emphasised that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023 must be implemented in letter and spirit.
The Court underscored that the relocation or removal of stray dogs cannot be carried out arbitrarily and must follow due process as laid down under statutory provisions. It also directed that sterilisation and vaccination drives be undertaken in a systematic and time-bound manner to control population growth and reduce aggression among strays.
In its observations, the Bench noted that “human compassion and public safety are not mutually exclusive” and called upon local authorities to run public awareness campaigns on responsible feeding practices, as well as on reporting aggressive animals to designated authorities.
The petitions before the Court had arisen from conflicting concerns – on one hand, instances of dog bites and fatalities, and on the other, allegations of cruelty and unlawful culling by municipal bodies.
Animal rights organisations had argued that indiscriminate removal of dogs from public spaces violates statutory protections and the constitutional mandate under Article 51A(g) to show compassion towards living creatures. Meanwhile, residents’ associations from several states had sought urgent intervention citing repeated attacks and lack of effective municipal action.
The Court, in its final directions, mandated that:
- Sterilisation and vaccination be prioritised and completed on a mission mode basis.
- Feeding of stray dogs be carried out in designated areas to avoid conflict with pedestrians and residents.
- State and municipal authorities set up grievance redressal cells to address public complaints and prevent unlawful actions against strays.
The verdict is expected to have far-reaching implications for how cities and towns balance the rights of animals with the safety and security of citizens.
The matter will be monitored periodically, with states required to submit compliance reports to the Supreme Court.