Stray Dogs

Governors' powers to stray dogs: Supreme Court's defining calls of 2025

From constitutional limits on Governors to arbitration clarity, minority rights, environmental protection and public safety, these Supreme Court rulings shaped governance and daily life in 2025

Rabies fear in UP: Can milk from infected animal transmit the deadly virus?

A suspected rabies case in a buffalo sent panic through a UP village, with hundreds rushing for vaccines after learning funeral raita was made from its milk. But was the fear justified?

Delhi govt asks schools to appoint nodal officers for stray dog matters

The Delhi government has directed educational institutions, including schools, to nominate nodal officers for matters related to stray dogs and submit their details to the Directorate of Education. Teachers' associations, however, have opposed the move, questioning why departments responsible for animal welfare are not handling the issue. In a circular, the Directorate of Education's (DoE's) Caretaking Branch said district education officers (DDEs) must compile details of nodal officers, including name, designation, contact number and email ID for all schools, stadiums and sports complexes under their jurisdiction and send the consolidated information to the directorate. The DoE stated that replies being received from individual schools were not required, and clarified that only district-level compiled reports would be accepted. The information will be forwarded to the office of the Delhi chief secretary. Nodal officers will act as the point of contact for stray dog-related issues,

Stray dogs case: Supreme Court to take up matter again on January 7

Responding to a petitioner in the stray dogs case who objected to some rules framed by the Delhi municipal corporation saying "inhuman" treatment was being meted out to them, the Supreme Court on Thursday said a video will be played in the next hearing, "asking you what is humanity". Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is appearing in the stray dogs case, told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that a three-judge special bench which was scheduled to assemble on Thursday to hear the matter was cancelled. "It will come on January 7," Justice Nath said. Sibal said, "The problem is that the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), in the meantime, has framed some rules which are completely contrary". When the bench said it would consider the matter on January 7, Sibal said the authorities will implement the rules in December itself. "They will be implementing it and they will be removing the dogs. They don't have shelters," he said. Justice Nath said, "It is alright Mr Sibal.

Over 128K people bitten by stray dogs in Mumbai in 2024: Eknath Shinde

More than 1.28 lakh people in Mumbai were bitten by stray dogs in 2024, raising concerns about the safety of citizens and prompting authorities to undertake measures like sterilisation and vaccination of free-roaming canines to control their population. This information was shared by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the state legislative council on Friday in a written reply to queries by MLCs Sunil Shinde, Vasant Khandelwal, Sandip Joshi and others. These legislators raised concerns about the increasing number of stray dogs in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) limits and a similar menace in Nagpur. Shinde stated that more than 9,400 people were bitten in Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra, in 2024. He said that a survey conducted by the BMC via Human Society International, as per the Animal Welfare Board rules, revealed that the number of stray dogs had come down from 95,172 in 2014 to 90,757 in 2024. In Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) limits, 9,427 peop

Maharashtra recorded over 3 million dog bite cases in 6 yrs: Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra recorded more than 30 lakh cases of dog bites in the last six years, while 30 persons died of rabies between 2021 and 2023, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed the state assembly on Wednesday. Local bodies have been directed to intensify animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination programmes, he said in a written reply. Shinde was responding to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Sunil Prabhu, amid concerns over the rising number of stray dogs, especially in major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Kalyan-Dombivli. The deputy CM said there has been a significant increase in dog bite incidents in both rural and urban areas. "Maharashtra has recorded more than 30 lakh cases of dog bites in the last six years, while 30 persons died of rabies between 2021 and 2023," he said. Replying to another query, Shinde said local bodies have been directed to intensify animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination programmes in accordance with the Supreme Court

Karnataka announces ₹5 lakh relief for fatal dog-bite victims' families

According to the new directive, the families of individuals who die due to dog bites will receive ₹5 lakh as compensation from the state government

Nearly 525,000 dog bite cases, 28 deaths due to rabies in TN: Chidambaram

Chidambaram emphasised that dog lovers' concerns are valid, but they must also acknowledge the gravity of the situation

Animal lovers protest against SC's order to relocate stray dogs in Delhi

For the second consecutive day, animal lovers held a protest outside the Jhandewalan Mandir in the national capital on Saturday, demanding the withdrawal of the Supreme Court order directing authorities to shift stray dogs from public areas to designated shelters. The Supreme Court, citing a rise in dog-bite cases in institutional zones such as schools, hospitals and railway stations, has instructed civic bodies and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to relocate stray dogs and cattle from these spaces and along highways. Dozens of protesters carrying placards and banners assembled peacefully near the temple, expressing concern over the welfare of street dogs. Animal caregiver Ritika Sharma, who participated in the demonstration, said that the decision was "deeply unfair" and ignored ground realities. "There aren't enough proper shelters or trained staff to care for so many animals. Moving them from their familiar places will only increase their suffering. They need ...

Over 90,000 stray dogs in Mumbai but only 8 shelters for them: BMC

There are over 90,000 stray dogs in Mumbai, but the number of shelters for them is only eight, civic officials said on Saturday, a day after the Supreme Court directed relocation of stray canines to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination. The officials said that in order to implement the apex court's order, more dog shelters need to be set up in the metropolis. Taking note of the "alarming rise" in dog bite incidents within institutional areas like educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the forthwith relocation of stray canines to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination. It said the recurrence of dog bite incidents within institutional areas reflected not only administrative apathy but also a "systemic failure" to secure these premises from preventable hazards. The SC also directed the states and Union Territories to take appropriate steps to address the "deficiencies and shortcomings"

SC orders removal of stray dogs from premises of schools, hospitals

The Supreme Court made it clear that the concerned local self-government institutions will be responsible for picking up stray dogs from such institutions or areas, and moving them to dog shelters

SC to deliver order on next steps in stray dogs case on November 7

The Supreme Court on Monday said it would pass order in the stray dogs case on November 7. A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria noted that chief secretaries of most of the states and Union Territories were present before it. It allowed the exemption application filed by the chief secretary of Kerala and noted that a principal secretary of the state was present in the court. The bench said the Animal Welfare Board of India be made a party in the matter. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that most of the states and UTs have filed their compliance affidavit in the matter. "List for orders on November 7," the bench said. It said personal presence of the chief secretaries of states and UTs would no longer be required. However, the bench said their presence would again become necessary in case there was any default in compliance of the orders passed by the court. While hearing the matter on October 2

SC to hear stray dogs case on Nov 3, chief secys of states, UTs to appear

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on November 3 the case concerning stray dogs in which it had directed the chief secretaries of all the states and Union Territories, except West Bengal and Telangana, to remain present before it. While hearing the matter on October 27, the top court had directed the chief secretaries to remain present before it on November 3 to explain why compliance affidavits were not filed despite the court's August 22 order. The apex court on August 22 asked the states and UTs about the steps being taken for compliance of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. The matter is slated to come up for hearing on Monday before a three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria. On October 31, the top court refused to exempt the chief secretaries of states and UTs from appearing before it physically on November 3, saying there was "no respect" for the court's order. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had mentioned the matter and

SC slams states and UTs over stray dogs case; summons chief secys on Nov 3

The Supreme Court noted that only West Bengal, Delhi and Telangana had filed reports on implementing the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, despite earlier directions to all states

MCD to set up feeding points across wards to tackle dog bite menace

Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma has directed officials to set up stray dog feeding points in every ward of the city. Three to four locations will be identified in each ward, in coordination with the local municipal councillor, where these feeding points will be set up, Sharma said. Officials have asked to submit an action report within a week on the move. Sharma emphasised that the MCD is intensifying the sterilisation and vaccination drives at Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres across the city. A sub-committee has been working on related strategies to control the stray dog population and prevent the spread of diseases, such as rabies. Sharma said unregulated feeding by people in public spaces often leads to the formation of packs, resulting in conflicts and a rise in dog-bite incidents. The move came following the Supreme Court urging the MCD to act promptly to rein in the dog bite menace. Sharma appealed to all councillors, resi

Why the wolf stayed: The long, messy love story of humans and dogs

The most theatrical demonstration came in Siberia during the Soviet era, when Dmitry Belyaev and Lyudmila Trut bred silver foxes for friendliness alone

RWAs call SC order on stray dog feeding points impractical, hard to follow

The Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the national capital on Friday expressed concern over the Supreme Court's directive to set up designated feeding points for stray dogs in every locality, calling the move "impractical and difficult to implement". The apex court on Friday modified its August 11 order that prohibited the release of captured stray dogs from shelters in Delhi-NCR. A special bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath clarified that the dogs can now be sterilised, vaccinated and released back into the same area. However, the order will not apply to dogs infected with rabies or those displaying aggressive behaviour. The top court also ruled that feeding of stray dogs will not be permitted on streets, as it directed the municipal authorities of Delhi-NCR to create dedicated feeding points for the purpose. The RWAs claimed that such feeding points may create disturbances in the residential colonies. "Residents will strongly object to setting up of feeding spots near the

All stray dogs should be released after being vaccinated, sterilised: SC

This rule is part of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which are established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, for managing the population of stray animals

Supreme Court revises order on stray dogs: Sterilise, vaccinate, and release

The Supreme Court has modified its earlier directive on stray dogs. They will now be sterilised and vaccinated, then released back to their localities. Aggressive and rabid dogs,

SC declines urgent hearing on plea against MCD order to round up stray dogs

The Supreme Court, on August 11, ordered the authorities in Delhi-NCR to start removing stray dogs from all localities 'at the earliest' and relocate them to shelters