The Supreme Court has made serious comments on the presence of stray dogs on roads, schools and institutional areas across the country. Calling their removal necessary, the court said that this is not just an issue of cutting. This is a big question related to public safety. It is not possible for anyone to understand when a dog will be calm and when it will be aggressive. Therefore, prevention is better than cure.
On November 7, 2025, the Supreme Court had asked to remove stray dogs from all educational institutions, hospitals, bus depots, railway stations, government offices and sports complexes. The court had asked all concerned institutions to comply with the order within 8 weeks. Besides, the court had also asked to remove stray cows and bulls from highways and expressways.
On Wednesday, January 7, a bench of 3 judges headed by Justice Vikram Nath reviewed the situation and sat for further instructions. Advocate Gaurav Aggarwal, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae in the case, said that the states have started action at their own level. But they lack animal shelter. The judges took note of this and said that they would give full opportunity to everyone to speak.
In the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, on behalf of dog lovers, demanded adherence to Animal Birth Control Rules. He said that the dogs should be caught and taken to the rescue center. After sterilization there, he should be released back in the same area. On this, Justice Sandeep Mehta, a member of the 3-judge bench, said in a sarcastic tone, ‘It seems that now the only thing left is to give counseling to the dogs so that they do not bite anyone when they go back.’
The court said that the problem is not limited to just biting. Dogs running on the streets chase people. Drivers lose their balance and this leads to accidents. The court also questioned Sibal’s claim that dogs are not on the streets but only in campuses and compounds. The court said that this is factually wrong and the reality is the opposite.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the court, said that if the majority of a society wants to exclude dogs, then it should be respected. Some people insist on keeping the dogs and this becomes a cause of controversy. If some people are allowed to walk, then someone can also say that he wants to keep buffalo in the society. Will this even be allowed?
Many lawyers and social workers presented their suggestions in the hearing that lasted for about two and a half hours on Wednesday. These included suggestions like making people aware, counting dogs, limiting their number, discouraging people from keeping foreign dog breeds and motivating farmers to keep dogs in the fields. The judges have said that they want to hear everyone’s views. Therefore, the hearing will continue on Thursday 8th January also.
Also read:-
Stray Dogs Case: ‘No need to be cruel’, SC said on Sibal’s argument – You know the mind of dogs, which one will bite when?
