Free Roads from Stray Dogs: Supreme Court Makes Crucial Observation

New Delhi | Live Hearing

The Supreme Court of India, during a hearing on January 7, made a significant observation stating that stray dogs are not only responsible for dog bite incidents but are also a major cause of serious road accidents. The court emphasized that public roads must be kept free and safe from stray dogs.

The apex court clarified that it would hear all stakeholders involved in the matter, including victims, animal welfare activists, and opposing parties, before issuing any final directions.

Supreme Court Took Suo Motu Cognizance

On July 8, 2025, the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of a media report from Delhi highlighting the rising menace of stray dogs. Since then, the matter has been heard five times, with multiple petitions now being clubbed together for a comprehensive hearing. The court’s final decision is keenly awaited.

Issue Is About Public Safety, Not Just Dog Bites

A special bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sanjay Mehta, and Justice N.V. Anjaria is hearing the matter. The bench observed that the issue goes beyond dog bites and directly impacts public safety, as stray dogs often run suddenly onto roads, leading to traffic accidents.

The bench remarked,

“You never know what mood a dog is in early in the morning.”

Justice Sanjay Mehta also questioned the presence of stray dogs near schools and court premises, stating that such sensitive areas must remain dog-free.

‘Don’t Get Over-Excited’: Court to Kapil Sibal

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for animal welfare organizations, argued that he had never been bitten while visiting temples. Responding sharply, the court said,

“You are fortunate. People are being bitten, children are being bitten, and people are dying.”

When Sibal explained the process of capturing, sterilizing, and releasing dogs back into the same area, the court remarked sarcastically,

“What remains now is counseling the dogs so that they don’t bite again.”

The bench advised Sibal not to get over-excited during arguments.

Gated Communities Can Decide by Vote: Solicitor General

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta suggested that in gated communities, residents should decide through voting whether stray dogs should be allowed.

“If 90% residents do not want dogs, the remaining 10% cannot impose their will,” he stated.

Data on Dog Bites May Be Inflated: Colin Gonsalves

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing animal welfare NGOs, pointed out discrepancies in dog bite statistics. He claimed that each rabies vaccine dose is counted as a separate incident, potentially inflating numbers. According to him, actual dog bite cases may be five to seven times lower than reported.