In a ruling on Tuesday, the Supreme Court refused to hear a number of pleas made with regard to an order issued by the court in November, 2025, which was related to the relocation and sterilisation of stray dogs. Upholding its earlier decision, the Supreme Court permitted municipal authorities to use all lawful means, including putting down of dogs that are dangerous or have rabies.
A three-judge bench consisting of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria dismissed all appeals against the directives of November as well as the concerns raised about the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for 2025, drawn up by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). While reading out the operative part of their orders in open court, the bench noted that the problem of stray dogs has acquired extremely worrying dimensions, with dog bites being reported frequently in various parts of the country.
In its landmark November 2025 ruling, the apex court had modified its previous stance by ordering all states and Union Territories to clear stray dogs from institutional premises. Crucially, the court had banned the re-release of these animals back into such locations post-sterilisation, noting that allowing their return would completely frustrate the primary objective of guaranteeing safe public spaces. During Tuesday's hearing, the bench criticised states and Union Territories for a distinct lack of sustained effort in building the necessary infrastructure to manage the swelling stray population.
The judges maintained that the judiciary cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, travellers, and the elderly frequently fall victim to severe dog bites. It was further emphasised that the right to life with dignity as guaranteed by the constitution also includes freedom from movement, without being at any time under constant fear of physical danger to oneself or loved ones.
Further, it was also made clear by the court that this problem is no longer limited to residential areas but has extended to vital infrastructure as well, such as airports and other governmental agencies. It was also mentioned by the court with regards to documents presented before it that the recurrent cases of attacks on humans by these dogs within vital transport points, such as the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, indicate a gross lack of municipal efficiency in handling this matter.
Also read: 4-year-old loses eye in stray dog attack in Bhuvanagiri
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