Euthanise if necessary: Supreme Court's big order to curb stray dog attacks
In its November 2025 order, the Supreme Court of India directed authorities to remove stray dogs from public institutions and transport hubs, and relocate them to shelters instead of releasing them back.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld its November 2025 directive ordering the removal of stray dogs from public institutions and high-footfall public spaces, refusing to dilute or modify the ruling despite multiple pleas. The court ruled that, if need be, the state should not hesitate from euthanising stray dogs that are deemed rabid and incurable.
A bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria observed that the judiciary could not ignore the realities faced by vulnerable sections in public spaces. The court’s remarks, including its reference to a "survival of the fittest" situation, underscored its concern over the state’s responsibility to protect citizens.
Following are the top quotes made by the court while delivering the order:
Take such measures as may be legally permissible, including euthanasia, in cases involving rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous/aggressive dogs to effectively curb the threat caused to human life and safety.
Young children have been mauled by dogs, senior citizens have been attacked, and even foreign tourists have been affected. It appears that Darwin's theory of the "Survival of the Fittest" is coming into play. Children and the elderly cannot be left alone to fight for their survival in the absence of government action. It is the government's duty to ensure the protection of people's lives and safety.
Statistics show stray dog bite incidents are rising across the country. In Rajasthan, 1,483 cases were reported in Sri Ganganagar in three months, while Udaipur recorded over 1,700 cases in 2026. In Tamil Nadu, 240,000 cases were reported this year, including 71,000 in March and 34 deaths. The threat has reached sensitive locations like Indira Gandhi International Airport, where stray dogs have been found at terminals and even runways, exposing a grave failure in public safety measures.
The state cannot remain a passive spectator. The court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers, old-aged people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents. The Constitution doesn’t envisage a society where children and elderly people are to survive on the mercy of physical strength.
Comprehensive capacity-building measures are to be undertaken, including training of personnel, augmenting of veterinary services, strengthening of shelter facilities and a vaccination drive in coordination with the relevant departments. No FIR or criminal proceeding shall be initiated against the officers in respect of bonafide action undertaken for the purpose of implementing the directions of this court.