NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over the “vague” and “inadequate” measures taken by various States and Union Territories regarding the removal of stray dogs from public places. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, warned of passing strictures against states that fail to provide specific data on sterilization, vaccination, and the removal of dogs from institutional premises.
During the hearing, Amicus Curiae Gaurav Aggarwal presented a detailed note summarizing data from 16 states and UTs, including Kerala, Karnataka, and Gujarat. The Court took a serious view of the statistics from Assam, where over 1,00,000 dog bite cases were reported in 2024 and nearly 21,000 in January 2025 alone. Justice Mehta expressed ‘shock’ at these numbers, especially since the state lacks adequate manpower and dog pounds. Similarly, the bench questioned the credibility of Jharkhand’s claim of sterilizing one lakh dogs in just two months, labeling it “practically impossible.”
The bench also addressed the issue of public safety in tourist spots, agreeing with the Amicus that stray dogs picked up from beaches should not be released back into the same areas. While states like Gujarat and Maharashtra showcased progress—with Gujarat sanctioning Rs. 60 crores for animal pounds and Maharashtra developing a real-time tracking dashboard—others like West Bengal and Karnataka were criticized for providing unclear information. The Court emphasized that while permanent large-scale infrastructure may not be mandatory, states must provide “good places” for animal care and ensure institutions are properly fenced to prevent the entry of strays. The hearing will continue tomorrow to include submissions from the National Highway Authority of India.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday highlighted the alarming rise in stray dog attacks on tourists visiting the beaches of Kerala and Goa, noting that the menace is severely impacting the tourism sector. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria emphasized that safety in high-traffic tourist zones must be a priority for State governments.
During the proceedings, Justice Sandeep Mehta observed that stray dogs are often drawn to beaches due to the availability of fish carcasses and food waste. He noted that attacks on visitors create a negative image and directly affect tourism. Consequently, the bench agreed with the Amicus Curiae’s recommendation that stray dogs captured from beach areas for sterilization should not be released back into those same locations.
The Court further slammed several States and Union Territories for filing “vague” affidavits that lacked specific data on dog bite incidents and the removal of strays from public institutions. While some states sought more time to build infrastructure, the bench warned of passing strictures if local authorities continue to provide non-specific responses. The judges reiterated that while permanent structures may take time, immediate measures like proper fencing of institutions and clearing high-risk public areas are essential to protect both citizens and the tourism economy.
(livelaw.in)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com