The Supreme Court reaffirmed the application of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and issued mandatory directives to all States and Union Territories. This includes securing institutional premises from stray dogs, removing such animals from highways, and ensuring the availability of anti-rabies treatment, thereby enforcing the state’s obligation to protect the right to life under Article 21.
Facts Of The Case:
This suo motu proceeding originated from media reports highlighting the severe public safety threat posed by stray animals, particularly dogs, in urban areas. The Supreme Court consolidated several related petitions and appeals addressing this issue. The core factual matrix involved alarming and recurrent incidents of dog-bite attacks, especially within institutional premises such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, and transport hubs across India, resulting in injuries, rabies exposure, and fatalities. Parallel concerns were raised regarding accidents caused by stray cattle on national highways. The Court noted systemic failures in implementing existing statutory frameworks like the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001 (amended 2023) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Despite previous judicial directions for sterilization, vaccination, and designated feeding zones, compliance by municipal and state authorities was found deficient. The factual record, supported by an Amicus Curiae report and numerous documented incidents, established a persistent and widespread menace, compelling the Court to issue further comprehensive directions to safeguard the fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Procedural History:
The Supreme Court initiated these proceedings suo motu in January 2025 based on media reports. It subsequently clubbed several pending Special Leave Petitions and Writ Petitions concerning stray dog management from various High Courts, including a significant matter from the Rajasthan High Court. Following initial hearings, the Court passed a detailed order on August 22, 2025, directing nationwide implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and seeking compliance affidavits from all States and Union Territories. Due to insufficient compliance and ongoing incidents, the Court, through orders dated October 27 and November 3, 2025, directed the Amicus Curiae to analyze the filed affidavits. Based on his report highlighting grave deficiencies, the Court issued the present comprehensive order on November 7, 2025, modifying previous High Court directions and issuing new, specific mandates for securing institutional areas and national highways from stray animals.
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Court Observation:
The Court observed that the recurrent and alarming incidents of stray dog attacks in institutional areas and highway accidents caused by stray cattle constitute a severe failure of administrative authorities, undermining the constitutional guarantee of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. It noted the ineffective implementation of the statutory Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and a systemic lack of coordination between municipal bodies, public institutions, and transport authorities. The bench emphasized that the menace is not merely a public health issue but a grave threat to human safety, particularly for children, patients, and the elderly, and that the State bears an affirmative obligation to secure public spaces from such preventable hazards through effective, humane, and coordinated measures.
Final Decision & Judgement:
In its final judgment, the Supreme Court issued comprehensive and binding directions to all States, Union Territories, and relevant central authorities. It mandated the immediate securing of institutional premises, the permanent removal of stray dogs from such areas, and the strict enforcement of measures to clear stray cattle from national highways. The Court required the establishment of monitoring mechanisms, the designation of nodal officers, and guaranteed availability of anti-rabies treatment. It directed the filing of detailed compliance affidavits within eight weeks, with the matters listed for further review in January 2026, and warned of contempt proceedings for any non-compliance, thereby reinforcing the state’s constitutional duty to protect public safety.
Case Details:
Case Title: In Re: "City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price" with connected petitions Citation:2025 INSC 1357 Case Number: SLP(C) Nos. 14763 of 2024 Date of Judgement:November 07, 2025 Judges/Justice Name: Justice Vikram Nath & Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N.V. Anjaria
Download The Judgement Here