The Supreme Court initiated suo motu proceedings on Monday in response to a media report on the growing menace of stray dog attacks, which are leading to an increase in rabies cases.

A division bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan termed the news report as "very disturbing and alarming".

"The news item contains some alarming and disturbing figures and facts. Every day, hundreds of dog bites are reported in cities and areas on the outskirts, leading to rabies and ultimately, young infants, children and the aged are falling prey to this dreadful disease," the bench said.