Hyderabad, May 19: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to dilute its earlier directions on relocating stray dogs from sensitive public spaces and issued fresh instructions for stricter implementation of Animal Birth Control rules across the country.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria dismissed petitions filed by animal rights groups and dog lovers seeking modifications to the court’s November 2025 directions.
The apex court had earlier ordered that stray dogs picked up from places such as schools, hospitals, railway stations and bus stands should not be released back into the same locations after sterilisation and vaccination.
The Bench observed that the “right to life with dignity” also includes the right of citizens to live without fear of dog attacks in public areas.
Supreme Court issues fresh directions on stray dogs
The court noted that incidents of stray dog attacks have reached “staggering dimensions” and pointed to failures in implementing existing rules and court directions.
The Supreme Court directed all states and Union Territories to establish at least one fully functional Animal Birth Control centre in every district. These centres must include surgical facilities, trained staff and proper logistics support.
The Bench also instructed authorities to increase the number of ABC centres depending on population and local requirements. It further ordered capacity building measures, including staff training, vaccination drives and improved shelter facilities.
The court directed government hospitals to maintain adequate stocks of anti rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin for dog bite victims.
In another significant direction, the apex court allowed authorities to take legally permissible measures, including euthanasia, in cases involving rabid, incurably ill or dangerously aggressive dogs.
The court also directed the National Highways Authority of India, along with states and Union Territories, to create a mechanism to prevent stray animals from roaming on highways and expressways.
The Bench warned that officials failing to implement the directions could face contempt proceedings and disciplinary action. At the same time, it granted protection to officers acting in good faith while enforcing court orders.
The judgment came after the Supreme Court reserved its verdict earlier this year following extensive hearings involving the Centre, state governments, the Animal Welfare Board of India and animal welfare organisations.
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