Supreme Court on stray dogs case 7 January 2026
On 7 January 2026, the Supreme Court continued hearing the ongoing suo motu matter on the stray dog menace, with a strong focus on human safety while reiterating that cruelty to animals is impermissible. The Bench is examining compliance with its earlier directions and the legality of the present Animal Birth Control (ABC) framework and municipal rules across states.
Bench and context
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The case arises from the suo motu proceedings titled on the theme of cities “hounded by strays” and serious dog-bite incidents, especially involving children and the elderly.
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The matter is presently before a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria, which has been monitoring steps taken in Delhi‑NCR and is now examining wider all‑India implications.
Key concerns raised
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Victims’ counsel highlighted that the stray dog population is estimated at over 6.2 crore and argued that the present ABC Rules 2023 prioritize a “right to roam” of dogs over the “right to life” and safety of human beings.
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The Court was told about repeated attacks on children, senior citizens and other vulnerable persons, and about failures of local bodies to effectively implement sterilisation, vaccination and monitoring requirements under the statute and rules.
Court’s observations on 7 Jan 2026
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The Court reprimanded several states and local authorities, noting that people are “being bitten and dying” and that authorities have failed to properly enforce existing legal provisions and earlier directions.
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The Bench stressed that the streets and institutional areas such as schools, hospitals and similar premises must be kept secure, while at the same time no cruelty or unlawful killing of dogs can be permitted.
Position on earlier removal and release orders
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Earlier, the Court had directed that all stray dogs in Delhi‑NCR be captured and placed in shelters, with no release back into public spaces; this attracted strong objections from animal‑welfare groups.
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By a subsequent order dated 22 August, the Court modified this position, directing that picked‑up dogs be sterilised, vaccinated and released back into the same area, except dogs with rabies or proven aggressive behaviour, which should not be released.
Status as of 7 January 2026
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On 7 January 2026, the Court primarily reviewed state‑wise compliance (including highway and institutional‑area safety), heard both victims and animal‑rights representatives, and indicated that detailed directions will follow after examining all objections to the ABC framework and municipal rules.
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The stray dogs matter remains pending; the Court has not yet delivered a final, consolidated judgment as of that date, but is clearly moving towards a calibrated framework balancing human safety with statutory protections for animals.
