Supreme Court Expresses Surprise Over Large Number of Petitions in Stray Dog Case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has expressed astonishment at the unusually large number of petitions being filed in cases related to stray dogs. The apex court remarked that such a volume of applications is rarely seen even in cases involving human matters.

Bench Observations
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made these observations on Tuesday while hearing arguments from two advocates representing issues related to stray dogs. One of the advocates informed the bench that they had filed an interim petition concerning stray dogs. Justice Mehta commented, “Even in matters concerning humans, such a large number of petitions are not usually received.”

The bench confirmed that all petitions filed on this matter would be heard, stating that multiple petitions will be taken up in the court on Wednesday, and all advocates will be given the opportunity to present their cases.

Background of the Case
The case stems from a significant increase in incidents of dog bites in schools, hospitals, and railway stations. On November 7, 2025, the Supreme Court had directed that stray dogs should be sterilized, vaccinated, and relocated to designated shelters without being released back to the location where they were captured.

The court emphasized that stray dogs removed from highways, expressways, and other public areas should not be returned to dangerous zones. The directions also extend to institutional premises, sports complexes, and other areas, highlighting not only administrative negligence but also systemic failures in safeguarding public spaces.

Ongoing Concern
The Supreme Court has been monitoring stray dog bite incidents closely, particularly those leading to rabies infections in children, under a suo motu case initiated on July 28, 2025. The bench, including Justice N.V. Anjari, is scheduled to hear the case further on Wednesday, addressing multiple pending petitions.

This case underscores the judiciary’s active intervention in managing public health and safety issues related to stray animals, while highlighting the challenges in implementing systematic and humane animal control measures.