Published May 19, 2026 | 12:41 PM ⚊ Updated May 19, 2026 | 12:47 PM
Synopsis: The Supreme Court has refused to recall its earlier directions mandating that stray dogs picked up from public institutions must be confined to shelters, not released back after sterilisation or vaccination. Dismissing challenges to the Animal Welfare Board’s SOP, the Court cited disturbing dog bite incidents, stressed state accountability, and issued fresh directives on ABC centres, vaccines, enforcement, and High Court monitoring.
On Tuesday, 19 May, the Supreme Court declined to revisit its earlier directions that stray dogs collected from public spaces such as hospitals, bus stations, schools, and railway premises must not be returned to the same location following vaccination or sterilisation.
The bench, comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria, dismissed a series of applications seeking amendments to the orders issued last November. In effect, stray dogs removed from public institutions are to be confined to shelters.
The Court also rejected challenges to the Standard Operating Procedure framed by the Animal Welfare Board of India, reported Live Law.
In its judgment, the bench referred to reports of “deeply disturbing incidents” involving dog attacks on children.
Youngsters have been mauled, elderly people assaulted, and even international travellers subjected to attacks. The Court criticised State authorities for failing in their duty to safeguard lives from such incidents.
“The menace of dog bites has extended to public places of critical areas, including airports and residential areas,” the Bench observed. It described the problem as having reached a “staggering dimension” and said the “continued recurring of such incidents” revealed deficiencies in enforcement. Officials who neglect to implement the directions will now face contempt proceedings and disciplinary measures.
“Right to life with dignity encompasses the right to life freely without threat of harm from a dog attack. The state cannot remain a passive spectator. The court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers, old age people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents. The Constitution doesn’t envisage a society where children, elderly people are to survive on the mercy of physical strength, chance…” Justice Sandeep Mehta noted while pronouncing the judgment.
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1. States and Union Territories must enforce the Animal Welfare Board of India Rules.
2. Each district must have at least one Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre.
3. Adequate supplies of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins must be ensured.
4. Local body officials tasked with implementing these measures are to be protected from criminal complaints or FIRs in the course of their duties.
5. Authorities may adopt legally permissible measures, including euthanasia of rabid or dangerous dogs, to protect human life.
6. High Courts are to register suo motu cases to monitor compliance.
7. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) must secure highways from stray cattle.
In November last year, the same bench had directed the removal of stray dogs from public institutions such as schools, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, and sports complexes, with instructions that they be shifted to shelters rather than released back.
Feeding of dogs was also restricted to designated spots. Several applications were subsequently filed by dog lovers and animal rights groups seeking to recall these directions. After hearings, the bench reserved judgment on 29 January.
In July last year, a two-judge bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan took suo motu cognisance of a news report titled ‘In City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price’ concerning the death of a child allegedly due to a dog bite.
In August, the bench directed that all stray dogs in the National Capital Region be confined to shelters. Following public outrage, the matter was transferred to a three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria.
That bench modified the earlier order, allowing dogs to be released after vaccination and sterilisation, and extended the scope of the case nationwide.
In November, further directions were issued for the removal of dogs from public institutions.
