Supreme Court Discusses Stray Dogs’ Behavior and Public Safety

New Delhi, January 7, 2026: The Supreme Court of India held a crucial hearing on the issue of stray dogs and their growing presence in public spaces. During the hearing, the court raised concerns over the unpredictable behavior of stray dogs, with Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria stating that it is difficult to predict when a dog might become aggressive or bite someone.

The court questioned the need for stray dogs to be present in sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, and courts, and asked whether there could be any objection to removing them from such places. The bench emphasized that it is challenging to understand a dog’s mood and warned that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to handling stray animals.

Kapil Sibal’s Argument
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioner, suggested that the Rail Ministry, similar to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), should be included in the solution. He proposed a system where people could contact a designated center to report aggressive stray dogs. The dogs could then be captured, sterilized, and returned to the streets.

In response, Justice Sandeep Mehta humorously remarked that this plan would eventually lead to counseling stray dogs to prevent them from biting after being released. The court pointed out that the problem isn’t just about dog bites; dogs also chase two-wheelers and bicycles, creating potential accidents.

Debate on Solutions
Sibal acknowledged that incidents involving aggressive dogs do occur in certain areas, but emphasized that not all stray dogs are the same. The bench, however, pressed the point by asking, “How can you tell in the morning which dog is in the mood to bite?” Sibal then questioned if the solution lay in keeping all stray dogs in shelters, to which the court responded that they were not advocating for such a drastic measure but raised concerns about the growing presence of stray dogs on public roads.

The Supreme Court concluded by stating that it is aware of the rising incidents involving stray dogs and stressed the need for a practical solution to prevent future occurrences. The hearing on the matter is scheduled to continue tomorrow.