New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed authorities to euthanise rabid and aggressive stray dogs in a significant ruling on the issue. It also refused to stay its order directing the removal of stray dogs from public institutions such as hospitals, schools and colleges, rejecting pleas by animal lovers and welfare groups. The directions were issued while deciding a batch of petitions seeking modification of its earlier order on the relocation of stray dogs.
"Court can't remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where kids, travellers, elderly have fallen victim to dog bite incidents," the apex court said while rejecting a number of pleas by animal lovers.
"Authorities may, in accordance with the Animal Birth Control rules and other applicable statutory protocols, take legally permissible measures, including euthanasia in cases involving incurably ill, rabid or demonstrably dangerous/aggressive dogs to effectively cure the threat posed to human life and safety," the Supreme Court ordered.
The Supreme Court observed that state and Union Territory governments have failed to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, leading to an alarming rise in stray dog cases. It warned that non-compliance of its orders will invite contempt proceedings against municipal and state officials, stressing that the state cannot remain a mute spectator to dog bite incidents as it violates citizens’ right to life with dignity.
In July last year, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of a news report on a child’s death allegedly due to a dog bite. In August, it directed that all stray dogs in the National Capital Region be picked up and kept in shelters. Following public backlash, the matter was moved to a three-judge bench, which later modified the order to allow release of dogs after vaccination and sterilisation, while expanding the case pan-India and issuing further directions in November to remove stray dogs from public institution premises.