The Supreme Court has declined to entertain an application filed by an animal welfare NGO seeking clarification of its earlier order concerning euthanasia of stray dogs, holding that the directions previously issued by the Court were explicit and required no further interpretation.
The plea was moved by the organisation “Animals Are People Too” in connection with the ongoing proceedings relating to the stray dog menace across the country. The NGO argued that certain civic authorities were allegedly misconstruing the Court’s observations permitting euthanasia in exceptional cases as authorisation for indiscriminate culling of stray dogs.
Seeking judicial intervention, the applicant urged the Court to clarify that its earlier order was confined only to cases involving rabid, terminally ill, or demonstrably dangerous dogs, and did not sanction blanket extermination of stray animals. It was further contended that any action undertaken by local authorities must strictly adhere to the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
Previously, while addressing concerns regarding increasing incidents of dog attacks and threats to public safety, the apex court had observed that euthanasia may be carried out in limited and exceptional circumstances involving dogs suffering from rabies, incurable illness, or aggressive behaviour posing imminent danger to human life. The Court had emphasised that such measures must be undertaken only upon expert veterinary assessment and in accordance with the procedure established under law.
The Supreme Court had also refused to dilute its earlier directions directing removal of stray dogs from sensitive public areas including hospitals, schools, bus stands, and railway stations, noting the alarming rise in dog bite incidents and the corresponding impact on public safety and the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
During the hearing, the Bench reiterated the need to maintain a balance between animal welfare considerations and protection of human life, while observing that inadequate implementation of sterilisation and rehabilitation measures by authorities had contributed significantly
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