New Delhi, May 19: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to modify its previous directives ordering the relocation of stray dogs from key institutional areas, declaring that citizens possess a fundamental right to live without the threat of animal attacks.
A three-judge panel consisting of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria dismissed multiple petitions from animal welfare groups that sought to recall the court’s November 7 interim orders. The judges ruled that canine birth control efforts across India have been inadequate, forcing the public to deal with hazardous conditions in hospitals, educational institutions, and transport hubs.
The court stated that state administrations have shown a notable lack of sustained effort to expand public infrastructure alongside rising animal populations. Under the current legal guidelines, animals captured from high-footfall public zones must be placed in designated shelters and cannot be returned to their original locations after undergoing medical procedures.
“The right to live with dignity encompasses the right to live freely without threat of harm from dog bites,” the bench noted in the ruling. “The court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers and elderly have fallen victim to dog bite incidents.”
To address the immediate infrastructure shortage, the court directed all states and union territories to construct at least one fully operational animal birth control center per district. The updated legal guidelines also empower regional high courts to initiate contempt proceedings against any local administrators who fail to execute the containment policies.
Additionally, the bench clarified that local authorities are legally permitted to use euthanasia for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably aggressive animals to safeguard public safety. The judicial actions stem from a suo motu case initiated last year following extensive reports of fatal rabies infections in the national capital.
