SC mulls stray dog dilemma: 'Can't predict when dog will bite', court tells pet lovers

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case regarding the stray dog ​​problem. The court made an important observation, stating that it's impossible to predict what's going on in a dog's mind or when they might attack. Therefore, the safety of the public is paramount.

The case is being heard by a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria. Earlier on November 7, the court had directed that stray dogs be removed from institutional premises such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations and relocated to shelters after proper sterilization and vaccination.

Key observations by the bench:

During the hearing, the bench stated that stray dogs not only pose a risk of rabies but also increase the risk of road accidents. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing dog lovers, argued that housing all dogs in shelters is neither physically possible nor economically feasible. He stated that the problem should be addressed scientifically, but existing laws and regulations are not being properly enforced. Justice Sandeep Mehta clarified that "prevention is always better than cure." He further stated that the court only wants to ensure that the rules and regulations are being followed, which has not been done satisfactorily so far. The bench warned that strict action will be taken against states that have not yet filed their responses or are negligent in enforcing the rules.