Supreme Court Allows Euthanasia Of Rabid And Dangerous Stray Dogs, Issues 10 Key Directions

In In Re : ‘City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price’, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed authorities to carry out euthanasia of rabid, incurably ill and dangerous stray dogs in appropriate cases to protect human life and public safety.

A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice N V Anjaria passed the directions while hearing the suo motu matter concerning the growing stray dog menace across the country.

The Court observed that incidents of dog bites and aggressive attacks have increased sharply, particularly affecting children and elderly persons. It noted that in several areas, the stray dog population has reached alarming levels and continues to pose a serious threat to public safety.

The Bench said authorities may, after proper assessment by qualified veterinary experts and strictly in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, take legally permissible measures including euthanasia in cases involving rabid, incurably ill or demonstrably dangerous dogs.

The Court refused to modify its earlier directions requiring authorities to remove stray dogs from places such as schools, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations and sports complexes. It directed States and Union Territories to ensure strict compliance with those directions.

Along with this, the Supreme Court issued 10 major directions for implementation across the country.

• First, all States and UTs have been directed to take coordinated and time-bound steps to strengthen infrastructure under the Animal Birth Control framework.
• Second, every district must establish at least one fully functional Animal Birth Control centre with trained personnel, surgical facilities and necessary logistical support.
• Third, authorities must assess population density and territorial requirements to increase the number of ABC centres wherever necessary.
• Fourth, States and UTs have been directed to fully implement the Court’s earlier directions regarding removal of stray dogs from sensitive public places without delay or dilution.
• Fifth, authorities have been asked to examine whether similar measures should be extended to other crowded public areas and transit spaces depending on local conditions and safety concerns.
• Sixth, the Court directed authorities to undertake capacity-building measures including training personnel, strengthening veterinary services, improving shelter facilities and conducting vaccination drives.
• Seventh, all government medical facilities must ensure adequate availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin along with an effective public health response mechanism for dog bite cases.
• Eighth, the National Highways Authority of India, along with States and UTs, has been directed to create a mechanism for handling stray animals on highways and expressways through transport vehicles, shelter arrangements and coordination with animal welfare organisations.
• Ninth, the Court clarified that authorities may take legally permissible action, including euthanasia, against rabid, incurably ill and dangerous dogs strictly under statutory protocols.
• Tenth, officers implementing the Court’s directions in good faith will receive legal protection. The Court said no FIR or criminal proceedings should ordinarily be initiated against such officers unless there is prima facie evidence of mala fide action or gross abuse of authority.

The Supreme Court also directed all High Courts to register suo motu writ petitions for continuous monitoring of compliance and permitted jurisdictional courts to initiate contempt proceedings against officers responsible for wilful non-compliance.

Case Title: In Re : ‘City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price’, SMW(C) No. 5/2025