The Supreme Court of India has once again addressed the growing issue of street dogs, expressing concern over the large number of petitions filed solely for their protection. The bench questioned senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who argued primarily for the welfare of street dogs, asking why similar attention is not given to other animals such as chickens or goats, and whether their lives are any less valuable. The Court emphasized that prevention is more important than treatment, noting that it is often impossible to predict if a dog may bite until it approaches someone.
The Court expressed particular concern over the increasing risks posed by stray dogs near schools, roads, hospitals, and railway stations. It directed authorities to implement sterilization surgeries for street dogs to mitigate these hazards and prevent potential incidents.
Kapil Sibal responded by citing international best practices, highlighting that vaccination, sterilization, and shelters have successfully reduced street dog populations in countries worldwide. He pointed out that India has not effectively implemented such measures, and that the accumulation of roadside waste has worsened the problem, increasing potential risks to the public.
Lawyer Colin Gonsalves, representing animal welfare NGOs, supported the Court’s concerns. He noted that government reports significantly underestimate dog bite incidents, by as much as five times, and that the number of rabies injections administered is not accurately tracked. He further highlighted that from 2021 onwards, 19 states reported zero rabies cases, underscoring gaps in official data collection and reporting.