'Persistence Of Stray Dogs Imperils Public Safety' : Supreme Court Flags "Dog Bite Menace", Says Children & Poor Worst Affected

The Supreme Court has expressed grave concern over the rising number of stray dog attacks across India, observing that the persistence of the stray dog population has continued to imperil public safety. The Court noted that repeated incidents of dog bites, particularly in educational institutions, hospitals, transport hubs, and other public spaces, highlight serious administrative lapses and a systemic failure to secure citizens' right to safety under Article 21 of the Constitution.Referring to multiple media reports, the Bench said it had been apprised of an “alarming increase” in dog-bite incidents in schools, hospitals, railway stations, and sports complexes. The Court mentioned instances of children being attacked in school campuses, patients and attendants bitten within hospital compounds, and even athletes and officials attacked inside sports stadiums.“The recurrence of such incidents, particularly within institutional spaces meant for learning, healing, and recreation, reflects not only administrative apathy but also a systemic failure to secure these premises from preventable hazards,” the Court observed, adding that the situation warranted “immediate judicial intervention” to safeguard citizens' right to life and safety.The Court noted that over 90% of human cases resulting from bites inflicted by domestic or stray dogs. "The brunt of this menace has been borne by children, elderly people and economically weaker sections who in addition of being vulnerable, also lack timely access to post- exposure prophylaxis," the Court said.Foreign Nationals Attacked; Global Image AffectedThe Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria also cited a report by NDTV highlighting how even foreign nationals have fallen prey to stray dog attacks, including a Welsh entrepreneur who was bitten during a morning run in Bengaluru. “This incident underscores that the menace is neither confined to rural or densely populated areas nor limited to vulnerable citizens but has assumed proportions affecting public safety, tourism, and the image of the country in the global perspective,” the Court said.Stray Dogs In Educational And Healthcare InstitutionsExpressing concern over recurring dog-bite incidents in schools and colleges, the Court pointed out that educational institutions, particularly those with open campuses, have become vulnerable spaces. “Children, due to their small stature and uninformed interaction with animals, are extra vulnerable,” it observed, citing reports of grievous injuries that required surgical reconstruction and emergency rabies treatment.The Bench specifically mentioned the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, where a large stray population reportedly threatens the safety of students, staff, and faculty.Similarly, hospitals, which are entrusted with treating dog-bite victims, have also become unsafe. The Court referred to incidents at the Institute of Mental Health, Chennai, where multiple patients were bitten within days, and at the Ernakulam General Hospital, Kochi, where a stray dog attacked five people, including a patient inside the hospital. Improper waste disposal practices and open hospital spaces attracting strays were identified as contributing factors.Implementation Failure Of Animal Birth Control RulesThe Court recalled that the Government of India had introduced the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, establishing the Capture-Sterilize-Vaccinate-Release (CSVR) model to control the stray dog population. The framework prohibits indiscriminate culling and mandates sterilisation, vaccination, and sheltering in coordination with animal welfare organisations.However, the Supreme Court lamented that implementation of these rules has been “ineffective to say the least,” with the persistence of stray populations continuing to endanger public safety in several parts of the country. Public Safety And State ObligationTerming the menace of dog bites “not merely a public-health challenge but a matter of human safety concern,” the Court held that the State and its instrumentalities bear an affirmative duty to ensure that citizens, especially children, elderly people, and patients, are not exposed to preventable injury or disease in public premises.It observed that “spaces of learning, healing, and recreation” such as schools, hospitals, universities, and sports complexes must be protected from such avoidable hazards, reiterating that the failure to do so amounts to a violation of the fundamental right to life and safety.Direction To Remove Dogs From Institutional PremisesIn view of the mounting incidents and administrative inaction, the Supreme Court directed authorities to remove stray dogs from the premises of schools, hospitals, railway stations, and other institutional areas, stressing that public safety must take precedence within such controlled environments.“The persistence of stray...

'Persistence Of Stray Dogs Imperils Public Safety' : Supreme Court Flags "Dog Bite Menace", Says Children & Poor Worst Affected

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

The menace of dog bites is not merely a public-health challenge but a matter of human safety concern, the Court said.

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