New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday ruled that stray dogs removed from public premises by authorities must be confined exclusively to shelters, dismissing a batch of applications seeking recall of its 2025 order that had mandated confinement of the dogs to Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres within eight weeks.
It held state authorities responsible for failing to conduct their duties.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria—which had also addressed the matter last November—issued a fresh set of directions, reinforcing the court’s earlier position and extending its scope.
Delivering the order, Justice Mehta said: “Right to life with dignity encompasses the right to life freely without threat of harm from a dog bite attack. The state cannot remain a passive spectator. The court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers, old age people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents.”
The bench directed all states and Union territories to enforce the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) Rules and to establish at least one ABC centre per district, while ensuring adequate availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins.
Officials of local bodies and institutions required to implement the court’s directions were extended protection from prosecution. “No FIRs or criminal complaints should be ordinarily registered against them for the performance of their duties,” the court said, adding that such officials were entitled to due protection for discharging their obligations.
The bench further held that authorities may resort to all legally permissible measures, including euthanasia, to address rabid or dangerous dogs that pose a threat to human life.
High courts were separately directed to register suo motu proceedings to monitor compliance with the directions, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was ordered to address the issue of stray cattle on highways.
A detailed copy of the order is awaited.
(Edited by Prerna Madan)
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