Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday dismissed all petitions filed by dog lovers seeking changes to its November 2025 order directing authorities to remove stray dogs from public institutions and crowded public places such as hospitals, schools, colleges, bus stands, and railway stations.
Defending its earlier directive, the apex court said that society “cannot shut its eyes to bitter realities,” noting that incidents of stray dog attacks have become a serious public safety concern across the country.
The bench highlighted several reported cases in which small children were mauled, elderly citizens were attacked, and even foreign tourists became victims of stray dog violence.
The court observed that the stray dog issue has now assumed “an alarming proportion” and that despite earlier directions, there continue to be major failures at the ground level in addressing the problem effectively.
During the hearing, the bench stressed that Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, also includes every citizen’s right to move freely in public spaces without constant fear of physical attacks or life-threatening dog bites.
The bench further remarked that the State “cannot remain a mute spectator” while preventable threats to human life continue to rise despite the existence of statutory mechanisms meant to deal with such dangers.
The matter was originally taken up suo motu by the Supreme Court on July 28 last year over increasing incidents involving stray dogs. After completing hearings and directing all parties to submit written arguments within a week, the bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath had reserved its verdict on January 29 earlier this year.
