Stray dogs: SC slams states and UTs for non-compliance, flags growing attacks

The Supreme Court on Monday strongly criticised several states and Union territories for failing to file their compliance affidavits in the ongoing stray dogs case, despite its earlier directions issued two months ago. Expressing concern over the continuing attacks and rising public fear, the bench said the country’s image was being “shown as down” abroad due to official negligence in tackling the menace.

A three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria noted that except West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), no other state or Union territory had filed its affidavit as required under the court’s August 22 order. The bench directed that the chief secretaries of all states and Union territories, except West Bengal and Telangana, must be personally present before the court on November 3 at 10:30 am along with an explanation for the delay in filing their compliance reports.

“It is October 27 today. No response, nothing. And continuous incidents are happening. Your country is being shown as down in foreign countries,” the bench observed sharply, calling the inaction “unacceptable.” The court also questioned how states could ignore a matter that had been widely reported since August, stating, “Your officers don’t read newspapers? They don’t read social media? They want a formal notice? Don’t come up with excuses.”

The bench further pointed out that even though the MCD had filed its affidavit, the Delhi government itself had not submitted one. Taking a stern view, the court directed Delhi’s chief secretary to appear in person on November 3 and explain the non-compliance. “You are in Delhi, the order was passed in Delhi and in your presence, and nothing has happened,” the bench told the counsel for the Delhi government, warning that the court may impose costs or other coercive measures if the affidavit is not filed by the next hearing.

The suo motu case was initiated in July after reports of frequent dog-bite incidents and rabies deaths, especially involving children, in Delhi and neighbouring regions. Earlier, on August 11, the Supreme Court had directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to pick up stray dogs from localities and relocate them to shelters to ensure public safety. However, following widespread concern from animal welfare groups, the court modified its order on August 22, calling the earlier directive “too harsh” and allowing sterilised and dewormed dogs to be released back into their localities in line with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.

The August 22 ruling also expanded the scope of the case to the entire country. All states and Union territories were made parties and asked to submit comprehensive details of their stray dog control infrastructure, including dog pounds, veterinarians, dog-catching staff, modified vehicles, and other facilities necessary for implementation of the ABC Rules.

During Monday’s hearing, when one of the advocates raised the issue of cruelty to stray dogs, the bench countered, “What about cruelty to humans?” It reminded the court that while animal welfare is important, the safety of citizens must remain the top priority. The bench also advised lawyers to make practical suggestions that can be implemented, stating that the court was monitoring the issue gradually to ensure humane and effective control of the stray dog population.

Concluding the hearing, the judges reiterated that all chief secretaries, except those of West Bengal and Telangana, must be personally present on November 3, including the Chief Secretary of Delhi. “Otherwise, we will hold the court in an auditorium,” the bench remarked, signalling its growing impatience with bureaucratic negligence over a long-standing public concern.