Stray dogs case: Supreme Court reserves verdict on pleas seeking modification of orders

The Supreme Court on Thursday, January 29, reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas that sought modifications of its earlier orders in the stray dogs case. The case was being heard by a bench of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria.

The bench reserved its decision after hearing amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwal, who summarised the steps taken by states like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Apart from pleas seeking modifications of its earlier order in the stray dogs case, the Supreme Court bench heard the counsel appearing for NHAI regarding compliance of the November 7, 2025 direction when the authorities were directed to remove stray animals from National Highways and fencing of roads.

The apex court directed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to consider and process applications submitted by NGOs seeking permission to operate animal shelters or animal birth control facilities.

The bench said, “Either you accept it or reject the applications but do it expeditiously,” as the AWBI counsel mentioned that there have been no applications after November 7 order.

The top court asked the parties to file their written submissions as early as possible in the matter.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court expressed concern over state governments’ failure to comply with its directions to increase stray dog sterilisation capacity, remarking, “They are all building castles in the air.”

The top court was hearing several petitions seeking modification of its November 7, 2025, order directing authorities to remove stray animals from the institutional areas and roads.

On January 13, the top court said it would ask states to pay a “heavy compensation” for dog bite incidents and hold dog feeders accountable for such cases. The court also flagged concerns over the non-implementation of norms on stray animals for the last five years.

Asserting the rise in dog bite incidents in educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations, the Supreme Court had directed teh relocation of strays to shelters after their sterilisation.

It had also said stray dogs picked up shall not be released back to their original place.

The court had directed authorities to ensure the removal of all cattle and other stray animals from the state highways, national highways and expressways.

The top court is hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 last year, over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.

(With agency inputs)