The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a batch of applications seeking modification of its earlier orders on management and removal of stray animals, especially dogs, from public spaces. The case is being heard suo motu by a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria.
During the hearing, the court reviewed compliance updates from several states and statutory authorities. Amicus curiae Gaurav Agrawal presented a summary of steps taken by states like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to implement the court’s directions, particularly concerning sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs.
The bench pulled up the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) for delays in processing applications from NGOs seeking approval to set up animal shelters or Animal Birth Control (ABC) facilities. Noting a surge in such applications after the November 7, 2025 order, the bench directed the AWBI to act swiftly:
“Either you accept or reject the applications but do it expeditiously,” the court said.
The counsel for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was also heard regarding compliance with the Supreme Court’s previous direction to remove stray cattle and dogs from highways and implement fencing to prevent accidents and public hazard.
On Wednesday, the court had expressed dissatisfaction with the overall implementation of its directives, stating that state authorities were “building castles in the air” and had failed to increase stray dog sterilisation capacities in line with the court’s orders.
The apex court reiterated its concern about the “alarming rise” in dog bite incidents, particularly in institutional areas like schools, hospitals, and railway stations.
The Supreme Court’s critical November 7, 2025 order had directed:
- All stray dogs be sterilised and vaccinated before being relocated to designated shelters.
- They must not be released back to their original locations.
- All stray cattle and animals be removed from national and state highways, as well as expressways.
- Immediate fencing of key roads and institutional areas to prevent stray intrusions.
The case was triggered suo motu on July 28, 2025, after alarming media reports highlighted rabies-related child deaths in Delhi due to dog bites.
On January 13, the court had hinted at holding states financially liable for dog bite incidents and even considered making individual feeders responsible for such attacks.
The court has now asked all parties to submit their written submissions, reserving its verdict on the pending pleas.
