Supreme Court permits euthanasia of rabid and dangerous stray dogs in landmark ruling

The top court issued a slew of directions to deal with the rising population of stray dogs. Pics/Getty

The Supreme Court for the first time on Tuesday allowed euthanasia for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs to curb the threat to human life.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria issued a slew of directions to deal with the rising population of stray dogs in the country.

The bench emphatically stated that ordering the euthanasia of stray dogs is the most important direction it is issuing to authorities and officials of civic bodies.

It said the civic authorities may resort to euthanasia in areas where the stray dog population has reached alarming proportions and where frequent dog bites or aggressive attacks pose a continuing threat to public safety.

The action may be taken after an assessment by veterinary experts and in strict accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 and other applicable statutory protocols, the bench said.

The top court passed the order in a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 last year, over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.

The SC dismissed pleas seeking a recall of its earlier order on the relocation and sterilisation of stray canines, as it observed that the right to live with dignity encompasses the right to move freely without the threat of harm from dog bite attacks.

Former Union minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi criticised the decision, saying the Supreme Court has "simply abdicated responsibility" on the stray-dog issue.

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