Supreme Court continues hearing the Stray Dogs case
Bench: Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria
To recap, the Bench is primarily examining the issue of stray dogs in institutional premises
Intervenors (dog lovers and NGOs) pray for modification of the Court's earlier directions, so that stray dogs are released in the same area from where they are picked up
Victims' side has argued inter-alia for removal of stray dogs from residential complexes/housing societies
Amicus gives data on Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
Counsel for Maharashtra: We have created a dashboard...in a month or so, it will be showing real-time number of dog bites, sterilization, etc.
Amicus on West Bengal: State's affidavit does not mention no. and capacity of dog pounds
J Mehta: As vague as it can be.
Amicus gives data on Karnataka
J Mehta: It has given data on stray dogs in institutions...also mentioned a valuable suggestion...this app called [...] but affidavit silent on dogs picked up from institutions
Counsel for Karnataka explains
J Nath: States can't make vague statements. All States giving vague averments in their affidavits, we are going to pass strong strictures
Amicus gives data on Kerala.
J Mehta: Haryana affidavit totally silent on what has been done to remove dogs from institutions
Amicus gives data on Himachal Pradesh
J Mehta: How does 1 vehicle for 1 municipal corporation work? Even if [CSVR] principle is to be applied, dog has to be captured and kept for 3-4 days. Personnel is required
Amicus gives data on Jharkhand
Court doubts the state's claim that over 1 lakh dogs were vaccinated and sterilized after its order
J Mehta: In 2 months? Tell us about your human resource data
Counsel for Jharkhand explains and seeks 3 months' time
J Mehta: Practically impossible.
Amicus gives data on Gujarat: State may give data on dog pounds
Counsel for Gujarat: We are in the process of creating more pounds where animals can be kept...there are dog kennels...60 cr budget has been sanctioned for this year
J Mehta to Amicus: Like you said, dogs can't be released back on beaches...based on data, not a lot of infrastructure required...just need to put them in good places where they are taken care of properly.
Amicus (on Chhattisgarh): 37 ABC centres. 16000 sterilized upto...I did not find any deficiency. No audit done to see if dog pounds are fully functional
Counsel for Chhattisgarh: We are in the process of improving infrastructure
Amicus gives data on Goa: Stray dogs problem on beaches of Goa and Kerala...attacks on tourists
J Mehta: Due to carcasses of fish. That affects tourism also
Amicus: Stray dogs can't be put back there.
Amicus: Even pet dog owners get vaccines...nobody wants to take the risk even if dog is vaccinated
Counsel for Bihar: Tenders are being issued for ABC centres...
J Nath: When did you start the process?
J Mehta: After 7 November
Counsel for Bihar: 3 months' time may be given to the state.
J Mehta: Look at the statistics of bites, it's astonishing! In 2024, 1,00,066 bites...20,900 only in January 2025. It's shocking!
Amicus (on Bihar): There are 34 ABC centres. In 19 Municipal Corporations, there are 22 ABC centres...daily capacity of sterilization of ABC centres not mentioned...not mentioned if they are fully functional...state should have done audit...if there are more than 6 lakh dogs, sterilization of 20,000 stray dogs is totally insufficient. Affidavit does not indicate in how many institutions audit has been done and what is implementation plan to remove stray dogs
J Mehta: None of the states have given data on bites, except Assam.
J Mehta: Affidavit is totally silent about manpower
Amicus: If fencing can serve purpose, they can do that...boundary wall not mandatory. There's no mention on compliance with directions on highways
Counsel for Assam: There are very few dog pounds, etc...it's a fact. Guwahati Municipal Corporation has 4 dog pounds, others have 1...we have taken steps with regard to ULBs...process is going on
J Mehta: Graver concern is lack of manpower
Counsel: 3 months' time has been sought from the Court
Amicus: They have decided to have atleast 1 dog pound shelter in towns with 50,000 or more people.
Amicus: 14000 institutions have been identified...1145 stray dogs have been shifted...it is suggested that states should take help in identifying stray dogs in educational institutions...there should be linking with dog pounds...204 stretches of highways identified...414 cattle shifted to pound shelter
Counsel for AP (in response to court query): We have no objection to the suggestions
Amicus (on Assam): Assam has 3 Municipal Corporations. they should be first priority. ABC centres are inadequate. State should give action plan
J Mehta: Why not increase capacity also? 6 is [nothing]
Amicus: Assam needs to take more effective measures.
Sr Adv Gaurav Aggarwal (Amicus): In my note, I have addressed 4 aspects...Functioning of ABC centres...court said there have to be dog pounds...identification of highways and prevention of ingress of cattle...
Amicus gives state-wise data starting with Andhra Pradesh
Amicus: State should audit existing facilities...setting up of further ABC centres can be done in phase wise manner...it can consider having a timeline. Capacity is fully utilized
J Mehta: Any indication about budgetary allocation?