NEW DELHI — Underscoring that the constitutional right to live with dignity encompasses a life free from the constant threat of dog attacks, the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday dismissed all petitions and modification applications seeking to recall its previous directives on the relocation and sterilisation of stray dogs. A three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria rejected challenges brought forward by animal rights groups against the Standard Operating Procedures formulated by the Animal Welfare Board of India, mandating strict enforcement of measures to clear public zones of canine threats.
The apex court expressed sharp dissatisfaction over a discernible absence of systematic and incremental infrastructure development by states and union territories to manage the escalating stray animal crisis. Reading out operative portions of the judgment, the bench observed that the implementation of the Animal Birth Control framework across various jurisdictions has historically remained underfunded, sporadic, and poorly planned. The justices noted that had local administrations acted with adequate foresight since the introduction of the statutory guidelines, the crisis would not have assumed its current staggering and deeply disturbing proportions.
The court emphasized that it cannot remain a passive spectator to the harsh and alarming ground realities across the nation, where children, the elderly, and international travellers frequently fall victim to severe mauling incidents. Pointing out structural failures, the bench highlighted that repeated dog attacks within the country’s major transport hubs and institutional spaces, including airports and hospitals, reflect grave inadequacies in municipal governance and civil administration. The bench stated firmly that the Constitution does not envisage a society where vulnerable citizens must survive purely on the mercy of physical strength.
As part of a comprehensive set of legal directives, the Supreme Court mandated all states and union territories to urgently augment their local healthcare and animal control infrastructure by establishing at least one fully functional birth control centre in every single district. The bench granted authorities the power to execute legally permissible measures under statutory protocols, including euthanasia for demonstratively dangerous, rabid, or incurably ill dogs, to eliminate immediate threats to human safety. Furthermore, the National Highways Authority of India was ordered to implement a continuous monitoring mechanism to clear expressways, national highways, and state corridors of all stray livestock and canines.
To guarantee persistent accountability, the apex court directed all high courts across the country to register independent, suo motu writ petitions to serve as a continuing mandamus for monitoring local administrative compliance. The bench clarified that municipal and state officials operating in good faith to execute these public safety mandates will be provided due legal protection against arbitrary criminal proceedings. Conversely, local officers found guilty of willful disregard, non-compliance, or operational inaction will face severe disciplinary penalties and institutional contempt proceedings before their respective jurisdictional courts.
