Supreme Court Allows Euthanasia of Rabid and Aggressive Stray Dogs
Top court says authorities can take legal action against dangerous stray dogs to protect public safety.
New Delhi: In a major ruling aimed at addressing growing concerns over stray dog attacks, the Supreme Court on Tuesday permitted authorities to carry out euthanasia of rabid and aggressive stray dogs under existing legal provisions.
The order was passed while the apex court heard a batch of petitions seeking changes to its earlier directions regarding the relocation and management of stray dogs.
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice N. V. Anjaria observed that the increasing presence of stray dogs in public places had become a serious concern. The court noted that several incidents involving attacks on people, especially children and elderly citizens, could not be ignored.
In its order, the court stated that authorities may take legally permitted measures, including euthanasia, in cases involving incurably ill, rabid or clearly dangerous and aggressive dogs. The court clarified that such actions must follow the Animal Birth Control Rules and other applicable legal procedures.
The Supreme Court also refused to modify its earlier directions issued last year, which instructed authorities to remove stray dogs from public areas such as hospitals, parks and railway stations and shift them to shelters.
The earlier order had further stated that sterilised dogs should not be released back into the same public locations from where they were picked up. Feeding stray dogs in public places was also prohibited except in designated feeding zones.
During the hearing, the court criticised several state governments for failing to properly implement the previous directives.
A number of animal welfare groups, NGOs and dog lovers had approached the court seeking changes to the earlier order, but the petitions were dismissed.