Human safety first: Supreme Court supports euthanasia of rabid stray dogs
Supreme Court has refused to dilute its order on removing stray dogs from public spaces and said states may euthanise rabid or incurably aggressive dogs to protect public safety amid rising dog bite incidents
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to relax its earlier direction regarding the removal of stray dogs from public institutions and crowded public places, stressing that the safety of citizens cannot be compromised. The court maintained that authorities must act firmly in dealing with stray dog threats, particularly in cases involving aggressive or rabid animals.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria observed that the judiciary could not ignore the growing number of dog attack incidents being reported from across the country. The judges said governments have a constitutional responsibility to ensure that people, especially children and elderly citizens, are protected in public spaces.
During the hearing, the court said states are free to adopt all legally permissible measures, including euthanasia, in situations where dogs are found to be rabid, incurably ill or dangerously aggressive. The Bench noted that public safety must remain the priority while dealing with the issue.
The judges referred to increasing reports of dog bites and attacks, stating that vulnerable sections of society are often the worst affected. The court remarked that children and senior citizens cannot be left to fend for themselves in what it described as a “survival of the fittest” situation caused by administrative inaction.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the Bench cited data from multiple states. In Rajasthan, Sri Ganganagar reportedly recorded 1,483 dog bite cases within three months, while Udaipur saw more than 1,700 incidents this year. Tamil Nadu, according to figures mentioned before the court, reported nearly 2.4 lakh dog bite cases in 2026, including tens of thousands in March alone, along with several deaths linked to such attacks.
The court also expressed concern over reports of stray dogs being spotted inside sensitive areas of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, including terminals and runway zones. The judges said such incidents reflected major lapses in public safety management.
Reiterating that the state cannot remain a “silent spectator”, the Bench said constitutional governance requires authorities to take proactive measures to safeguard human life. The court added that public spaces should remain safe for everyone, including international travellers, children and elderly citizens.