Supreme Court Addresses Stray Dog Concerns in Ongoing Hearing

Supreme Court Hearing on Stray Dogs

On January 7, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria conducted a detailed hearing regarding the issue of stray dogs, which continued on January 8. The court aimed to strike a balance between human safety and animal welfare while criticizing the negligence of municipal bodies.

Key Points from the Hearing

The court remarked that predicting a dog's behavior is impossible, emphasizing that 'prevention is better than cure.' It highlighted that not only dog bites but also accidents involving stray animals on roads have resulted in fatalities.

In a notable comment, the court questioned, 'What about the lives of other animals? What about chickens and goats? Do their lives not matter?'

The court clarified its November 2025 order, stating that dogs should be relocated from sensitive public areas such as schools and hospitals to shelters, rather than being killed or removed entirely.

Arguments from all parties, including dog-bite victims, animal lovers, and opponents, are being heard as the proceedings continue.

Sonam Wangchuk's Case

The hearing regarding climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Geetanjali J. Angmo's petition challenging his detention under the NSA was initially set for January 7 but was postponed to January 8. The petition claims the detention is illegal and arbitrary, linked to the Ladakh violence of September 2025.

Aravalli Issue Update

While the message mentions the 'nationally significant Aravalli issue,' there is no hearing scheduled in the Supreme Court on this matter today, January 8. The case concerning the definition of the Aravalli Hills and mining was in the spotlight in December 2025, where the court considered forming a new expert committee after staying its own November 2025 decision. The next hearing is set for January 21, 2026, indicating a possible mix-up with older news.