The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of people losing their lives or suffering serious injuries due to attacks by stray dogs, stating that government authorities have failed to properly enforce existing regulations meant to address the issue.
Hearing the matter, the Apex court noted that laws such as the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules were framed to manage stray dog populations through sterilisation and vaccination. However, poor execution and lack of accountability by municipal bodies and state authorities have rendered these rules ineffective on the ground.
The bench observed that incidents of dog attacks are no longer isolated and have become a recurring public safety concern, particularly affecting children, elderly citizens, and pedestrians. The court also took note of accidents caused by stray animals on roads, pointing out that even members of the judiciary have suffered serious injuries due to such incidents.
The case is being examined by the Supreme Court on its own initiative after repeated reports highlighted administrative failure in controlling stray animal populations. The judges remarked that despite earlier directions, many states have neither submitted compliance reports nor demonstrated meaningful progress in implementing sterilisation drives and vaccination programmes.
The court recalled its earlier orders directing authorities to remove stray dogs from sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and public institutions, as well as from highways and major roads. However, it expressed dissatisfaction over the slow and inconsistent enforcement of these directions.
While reaffirming the importance of animal welfare, the Supreme Court made it clear that safeguarding human life must remain a priority. It stressed that the existing legal framework already strikes a balance between animal protection and public safety, but negligence in implementation has led to preventable tragedies.
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