The Supreme Court of India on Thursday reserved its order on a batch of petitions seeking changes to its ongoing stray dog management case. According to the reports, the top court has called on the counsels
to submit their written briefs within a week.
The verdict was reserved after the Supreme Court heard submissions from stakeholders across the country, including dog lovers, victims of dog bite incidents, animal rights activists, and lawyers representing the Centre and various state governments.
A bench of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria reserved its decision after hearing amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwal, who summarised the steps taken by states like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The bench also heard submissions from the counsel representing the NHAI on compliance with its November 7, 2025 directions, which had ordered the removal of stray animals from National Highways and the fencing of roads.
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The top court directed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to process applications filed by NGOs seeking permission to set up animal shelters or animal birth control facilities.
“Either you accept it or reject the applications but do it expeditiously,” the bench told the counsel appearing for AWBI, who pointed out that after the November 7 order of the court, there was a surge in such applications from different organisations.
The top court asked the parties to file their written submissions as early as possible in the matter.
Earlier on Wednesday, the top court expressed concern over state governments’ failure to comply with its directions to strengthen stray dog sterilisation capacity, remarking that “they are all building castles in the air.”
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On January 13, the top court said it would ask states to pay a “heavy compensation” for dog bite incidents and hold dog feeders accountable for such cases.
The court also raised concerns over the non-implementation of norms relating to stray animals over the past five years.
The apex court on November 7, took note of the “alarming rise” in dog-bite incidents within institutional areas such as educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations, and directed relocation of stray canines forthwith to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination.
The court had also stated that stray dogs once picked up should not be released back to their original locations. It further directed authorities to ensure the removal of all cattle and other stray animals from state highways, national highways and expressways.
The top court is hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 last year, following a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.
(With inputs from PTI)
