Supreme Court Highlights Surge in Stray Dog Cases: A Unique Legal Challenge

Supreme Court Addresses Stray Dog Legal Matters

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court acknowledged the overwhelming number of interlocutory applications related to the stray dogs issue, noting that such a volume is rarely seen even in human-related cases.

During the proceedings, Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta were informed by two lawyers about their submissions regarding the stray dogs.

Justice Mehta remarked, "Typically, we do not see this many applications in human cases."

The bench confirmed that the stray dogs case is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday.

Another lawyer brought up a transfer petition, to which the court responded that multiple pleas would be addressed during the Wednesday session, allowing all lawyers to present their arguments.

A special three-judge bench, including Justices Nath, Mehta, and N V Anjaria, is set to deliberate on the matter.

The Supreme Court had previously expressed concern over the alarming increase in dog bite incidents in institutional settings like schools, hospitals, and train stations. On November 7 of last year, it ordered the immediate relocation of stray dogs to designated shelters after proper sterilization and vaccination.

The court emphasized that the relocated dogs should not be returned to their original locations.

Additionally, it instructed authorities to clear all stray animals from state and national highways, as well as expressways.

The rise in dog bite incidents in institutional areas indicates not only administrative negligence but also a "systemic failure" to protect these environments from avoidable dangers.

This case is part of a suo motu proceeding initiated on July 28 last year, following media reports of stray dog bites causing rabies, particularly among children in the capital.