SC Rejects Pleas Against Stray Dog Orders; Upholds Relocation, Sterilisation Directions

NEW DELHI, May 19: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed all applications seeking modification or recall of its earlier directions on the relocation and sterilisation of stray dogs, observing that the right to live with dignity includes the right to live without threat from dog attacks.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria also upheld challenges to the standard operating procedures issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) for dealing with stray animals, while issuing fresh directions to States, Union Territories and statutory bodies to strengthen infrastructure for managing stray dog populations.

The court noted a “discernible absence” of sustained and systematic efforts by States and UTs to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) framework, stating that its execution remains sporadic, underfunded and uneven across regions.

It observed that the right to live with dignity includes protection from the threat of dog bites, citing incidents involving children, elderly persons and international travellers.

The bench directed authorities to ensure coordinated action to upgrade infrastructure and improve implementation of stray dog management programmes.

Earlier, on November 7 last year, the Supreme Court had directed the relocation of stray dogs to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination, particularly in institutional areas such as schools, hospitals and railway stations, citing an “alarming rise” in dog bite cases.

It had also ruled that stray dogs picked up should not be released back to their original locations and ordered removal of stray cattle and animals from highways and expressways.

The matter is part of a suo motu case initiated on July 28 last year over a media report highlighting rising dog bite and rabies cases, especially among children in the national capital. (Agencies)