The Punjab government on Friday initiated a comprehensive campaign aimed at addressing the issue of stray dogs across the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the state administration would adhere strictly to the Supreme Court's directives, both in letter and spirit.
Supreme Court Guidelines to Be Implemented
In a post on social media platform X, Mann stated, "The Punjab government will strictly follow in letter and spirit the Supreme Court order given on May 19, 2026. As per the SC orders, we will remove stray dogs from all high footfall public spaces so that children, senior citizens and families can move freely without fearing for their safety." The chief minister emphasized the creation of adequate dog shelters where the animals can be properly cared for.
Legal Measures Including Euthanasia
Mann further elaborated on the permissible actions under the law: "Take legally permissible measures, including euthanasia, in cases involving rabid, incurably ill or demonstrably dangerous and aggressive dogs posing a threat to human life, strictly in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the ABC (Animal Birth Control) Rules."
Supreme Court Verdict on Stray Dogs
The Supreme Court, in a landmark verdict, allowed euthanasia of rabid, incurably ill, dangerous, and aggressive dogs to mitigate threats to human lives. The court ruled that the right to live with dignity encompasses the right to move freely without the threat of harm from canines. In a first-of-its-kind order, the top court asserted that when the safety and lives of human beings are weighed against the interests and welfare of sentient beings, the constitutional balance must necessarily and unequivocally tilt in favor of the preservation and protection of human life.
Constitutional Protection for Human Life
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria dismissed all petitions and applications for recall or modification of the November 7, 2025 order, including directives on relocation and sterilization of dogs from institutional areas. The bench declared that the right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution stands at the "highest pedestal of constitutional protection."
