Supreme Court on Stray Dog Menace: "No One Knows Which Dog is in What Mood"
ANI
New Delhi – The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) adopted a stern view regarding the presence of stray animals on public roads. Hearing pleas related to the relocation of stray dogs, the apex court observed that the danger extends beyond dog bites to fatal road accidents caused by roaming animals.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N. V. Anjaria emphasized that civic bodies must strictly implement rules to ensure roads are clear of hazards.
Key Observation: "The Mood of the Dog"
In a significant oral observation during the hearing, the Bench highlighted the unpredictability of stray animals.
"The roads should be clear of dogs and stray animals. It is not only the dog bites but also the roaming of stray animals on roads that are proving dangerous and causing accidents. No one knows which dog is in what mood in the morning," the Bench remarked.
The Trigger: Judicial Accidents
The urgency of the court's tone was underscored by recent incidents involving members of the judiciary. Justice Mehta pointed out a "serious issue" where two judges of the Rajasthan High Court met with accidents involving stray animals in the past 20 days. One of the judges is reportedly still suffering from spinal injuries due to the incident.
The Debate: Relocation vs. Sterilization (CSVR)
The hearing saw a clash of perspectives regarding the solution to the stray dog menace.
The Petitioner's Stance: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioners seeking modification of the court's earlier November 7 order (which directed immediate relocation), argued against mass relocation.
- Scientific Approach: Sibal argued that the solution lies in the CSVR model (Capture, Sterilise, Vaccinate, and Release), a globally accepted scientific formula.
- Conflict Reduction: He submitted that sterilization is the key to gradually reducing the population and human-animal conflict, citing the success of this model in Lucknow.
- "Not Adversarial": "If one tiger is a man-eater, we don’t kill all tigers," Sibal argued, emphasizing that the issue should not be treated as adversarial.
The Court's Stance: The Bench maintained that "Prevention is always better than cure." Justice Nath noted that the court had not interfered with existing rules but had directed the removal of stray dogs from institutional areas (like hospitals, schools, and railway stations) to designated shelters.
- Strict Compliance: The court warned that it would be "very harsh" with States that failed to file compliance affidavits or implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Fencing: The Bench suggested fencing roads and expressways to prevent stray animals from trespassing.
State Compliance: The Laggards
Senior advocate Gaurav Agarwal, appointed as amicus curiae, highlighted gaps in implementation:
- NHAI: The National Highways Authority of India has identified 1,400 km of vulnerable road stretches but cited that state governments must manage them.
- Non-Compliant States: It was submitted that Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab are yet to file compliance affidavits.
Why It Matters
This hearing is critical as it balances two emotive and often conflicting rights: the safety of citizens on public roads and the welfare of stray animals. The court's November 7 order was born out of an "alarming rise" in dog bite incidents and rabies cases, particularly among children. The clarification on whether dogs should be relocated or sterilized and released back (as per the CSVR model) will define municipal policy across India.
The arguments remained inconclusive and are set to continue on Thursday.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
The Supreme Court's observations highlight a growing urban crisis. While animal welfare is paramount, the safety of citizens—whether pedestrians facing bites or commuters facing accidents—cannot be compromised. At The Trending People, we believe the solution likely lies in the middle ground: rigorous implementation of sterilization (CSVR) combined with strict zoning laws that keep high-speed transit areas and institutions animal-free.