Supreme Court allows euthanasia of rabid, aggressive stray dogs in major public safety ruling

Rejecting petitions seeking modification of its earlier relocation order, a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N. V. Anjaria observed that the presence of stray dogs in public areas had become “alarming”.

“Authorities may, in accordance with the Animal Birth Control rules and other applicable statutory protocols, take legally permissible measures, including euthanasia in cases involving incurably ill, rabid or demonstrably dangerous/aggressive dogs to effectively curb the threat posed to human life and safety,” the bench said, as quoted by NDTV.

The court stressed the dangers stray dogs pose to people, particularly children.

Last year, the apex court had directed all States and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, public sports complexes, bus depots and railway stations, ruling that such animals should not be released back into these areas after sterilisation.

The bench had observed that permitting sterilised stray dogs to return to such public spaces would “defeat the very purpose” of securing these zones and protecting public health.

It had further ordered that all stray dogs found in these premises be captured, sterilised and vaccinated in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.