Supreme Court Issues Ultimatum: States Face Heavy Fines for Stray Dog Attacks, Feeders Risk Liability
Supreme Court Issues Ultimatum: States Face Heavy Fines for Stray Dog Attacks, Feeders Risk Liability
New Delhi, 14 Jan : In a decisive move to address the escalating stray dog crisis, the Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to both the Central and State governments. On Tuesday, the apex court declared its intention to impose substantial financial penalties on authorities for every instance of a dog bite or death caused by strays, citing a "miserable failure" in implementing existing animal control laws.
During the hearing, the bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria expressed deep dissatisfaction with the administrative handling of the issue. The Court observed that despite parliamentary attention since the 1950s, the problem has not only persisted but multiplied "a thousand times" due to governmental inaction.
"For every man, woman, and child who has lost their lives to a dog bite, we will impose heavy compensation on the government responsible," the bench asserted, emphasizing that they intend to take the Union and State governments to task for their inability to enforce the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules effectively.
Strict Stance on Dog Feeders
In a significant expansion of accountability, the Court also turned its attention to individuals who feed stray dogs. The bench remarked that feeders could be held liable for attacks, noting that the trauma and physical impact of a dog bite can last a lifetime.
"You take them to your house, keep them. Why should they be allowed to roam around, biting, chasing?" the Court questioned, criticizing "so-called dog lovers" who obstruct municipal duties. The bench cited a specific incident where a lawyer was bitten within the Gujarat High Court premises, and municipal workers attempting to capture the animal were reportedly assaulted by activists.
The Debate on Implementation
While the Court clarified it was not advocating for the mass removal of all street dogs, it insisted on a actionable plan to enforce statutory provisions.
Senior Advocate Arvind Datar, arguing for stricter measures, suggested that current regulations should extend to sensitive areas such as airports, public parks, and courts. He argued that the current ABC rules focus narrowly on birth control without addressing the immediate danger of feral dog attacks or the rights of street dogs in gated communities.
Conversely, representatives for animal welfare organizations argued that authorities lack sufficient funds for permanent housing and warned that simply removing dogs could backfire by inviting new packs into vacated territories. One lawyer’s suggestion to incentivize the adoption of street dogs was met with a sharp retort from Justice Sandeep Mehta, who questioned why similar incentives aren't prioritized for adopting orphaned children.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for January 20, 2026, where it expects a concrete plan of action from the State and Union authorities.
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