The Supreme Court of India made a crucial clarification on Thursday, stating unequivocally that it has not issued any directive for the wholesale removal of stray dogs from the streets. The apex court emphasized that its orders are strictly confined to ensuring that stray canines are managed and treated in line with the existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
Bench Focuses on Public Safety and Rule Implementation
A special three-judge bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria, is hearing a suo motu case concerning the stray dog issue. The bench reiterated that its primary focus remains public safety and the proper execution of current regulations, not a blanket clearance of animals from public spaces.
During the proceedings, Justice Sandeep Mehta explicitly observed, "We have not directed the removal of every dog from the streets. The direction is to treat them as per the rules." The court is considering multiple petitions, including those from dog lovers seeking modifications to earlier directions and others demanding stricter compliance with laws.
Complexities of Urban Wildlife Management Debated
Senior advocates, including Shyam Divan, Sidharth Luthra, C U Singh, Krishnan Venugopal, Dhruv Mehta, Gopal Sankaranarayanan, and Karuna Nundy, presented arguments highlighting the intricate challenges of managing stray dog populations. A significant point raised was the potential ecological ripple effect.
Advocate C U Singh pointed out that cities like Delhi are already battling serious rodent infestations and issues like monkey overpopulation. He cautioned that an abrupt and widespread removal of dogs could exacerbate the rodent menace, leading to severe public health consequences. "When the rodent population increases, we have seen extremely disastrous outcomes," Singh warned.
The bench also made an observation on canine behavior, with Justice Vikram Nath noting that dogs can detect fear or past trauma in humans, which might influence their actions.
Court References Broader Ecological Concerns
In a related discussion, Justice Mehta remarked on the natural dynamic between species, noting that cats prey on rodents and are natural competitors of dogs. He added in a lighter vein, "So we should promote more cats."
The bench also demonstrated its concern for the broader ecological balance by referring to a December 29, 2025 report in The Times of India titled "On the roof of the world, feral dogs hunt down Ladakh’s rare species." The judges asked the lawyers involved to study the report before the next hearing, scheduled for Friday.
The Supreme Court's stance underscores a nuanced approach to urban wildlife management, balancing public safety with scientific and rule-based methods for animal population control, while being mindful of unintended environmental consequences.
