New Delhi – The Supreme Court of India on Thursday reserved its stray dog management verdict in suo motu proceedings examining the country’s approach to controlling stray canine populations. The decision comes after comprehensive hearings involving multiple states, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria reserved the stray dog management verdict after hearing final submissions from all parties. The court allowed stakeholders to file brief written submissions within one week before delivering its final judgment.
Scope of the Stray Dog Management Verdict
The anticipated stray dog management verdict will examine the correctness and continued operation of the court’s November directions that mandated the capture of stray dogs from institutional areas. Crucially, the verdict will also address whether these dogs can be released back into such premises even after sterilization.
This stray dog management verdict has evolved into a nationwide audit examining sterilization programs, vaccination campaigns, shelter infrastructure, and data accuracy across states. The case originated from rising incidents of dog bites, particularly involving children, in public and institutional spaces.
Technological Solutions for Highway Safety
During Thursday’s hearing preceding the stray dog management verdict, the bench urged NHAI to explore technological solutions addressing stray animals on highways. The court suggested developing a public-facing reporting mechanism allowing citizens to upload photographs and locations of stray animals spotted on highways.
“Why don’t you make an app so that anyone who spots an animal can click a picture and upload? You will have visuals,” the bench stated. The NHAI counsel confirmed the authority would develop such an application, which could significantly influence the final stray dog management verdict.
Critical Data Inconsistencies Revealed
Significant concerns emerged during hearings that will shape the stray dog management verdict. Advocate Manisha Karia, appearing for AWBI, revealed stark inconsistencies in animal birth control (ABC) program data. While AWBI has recognized only 76 sterilization centers nationwide, state-submitted data claimed 883 such centers operate across the country.
“There are more than 250 pending applications. As per state data, 883 centres are running, but they have not yet been recognised by us,” Karia informed the court. These discrepancies will likely feature prominently in the stray dog management verdict.
Questionable Sterilization Statistics
The stray dog management verdict must address troubling anomalies in sterilization figures submitted by various states. Karia flagged that numbers might not be reliable, raising concerns about potential misuse of funds earmarked for sterilization programs.
“There is surprising data. In states where the dog population is less, the reported sterilisation numbers are more than the total dog population,” she stated. The bench remarked that reasons for such discrepancies were obvious, with Karia adding, “Less said, the better.” These findings will critically inform the stray dog management verdict.
Expedited Recognition Process Mandated
Before reserving the stray dog management verdict, the court directed AWBI to expedite scrutiny of pending applications for sterilization center recognition. All requests must be processed within a fixed timeframe, either granting approval or providing reasoned rejections.
This directive ensures accountability and standardization before the stray dog management verdict establishes binding precedents for nationwide implementation.
November Order Under Review
The stray dog management verdict will examine the controversial November order directing all states and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from institutional areas including schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots, and railway stations. That order ruled such dogs cannot be released back into these locations even after sterilization.
The November order, calling the spike in dog-bite incidents a “matter of human safety concern,” held that permitting re-release would “frustrate the very effect” of securing institutional premises. The stray dog management verdict will determine whether these directions continue.
Constitutional and Safety Considerations
The stray dog management verdict must balance animal welfare concerns with constitutional protections. The November order invoked Article 21 of the Constitution, stating: “The state and its instrumentalities bear an affirmative obligation to ensure that no citizen, least of all children, elderly people and patients, are exposed to preventable injury or disease within public premises.”
This constitutional framework will guide the stray dog management verdict’s final formulation.
Evolution from Earlier Directives
The stray dog management verdict represents evolution from an August direction by a two-judge bench that asked civic bodies in Delhi-NCR to round up stray dogs and keep them in shelters. That order effectively suspended the catch-neuter-vaccinate-release (CNVR) model in institutional areas, triggering protests from animal rights groups.
The matter was subsequently placed before the present three-judge bench, whose comprehensive stray dog management verdict will provide definitive guidance.
Comprehensive Implementation Framework
Under November directions that the stray dog management verdict will review, states and UTs were asked to identify all government and private educational and health institutions, transport hubs, and sports complexes, securing their perimeters. The court also directed awareness programs in schools and mandatory availability of anti-rabies vaccines in hospitals.
Broader Animal Management Issues
The stray dog management verdict may also address removal of stray cattle and animals from highways, citing rising accidents. The court previously warned that non-compliance could invite penalties, including suo motu contempt proceedings.
Looking Ahead
The anticipated stray dog management verdict will establish critical precedents balancing public safety, constitutional rights, animal welfare, and practical implementation challenges. Stakeholders across India await this landmark decision that will shape stray animal management policies for years to come.
