Stray dogs case verdict today: LIVE UPDATES from Supreme Court

Supreme Court: Obligations of state necessitate creation of framework. Right to life with dignity encompasses right to life freely without threat of harm of dog bite attack. State cannot remain a passive spectator.

Supreme Court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers, old age people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents. Constitution doesn’t envisage a society where children, elderly people are to survive on the mercy physical strength, chance

Supreme Court: The harm is not just statistical, it is unfathomable. Notwithstanding the directions issued on August 22, 2025 and November 7, 2025, the material placed on records, that the directions have been percolated to ground level. Any non compliance to the directions of this court shall be viewed seriously. Contempt proceedings, disciplinary proceedings and tortious liability shall be initiated against states for non-compliance.

Supreme Court: We are apprised of reports that demonstrate dog bite incidents in airports, residential areas, urban centres etc. the very occurrence of repeated dog bite incidents in the country’s busiest airports (IGI) demonstrates grave inadequacy.

A German traveller was bitten in Surat. Such incidents adversely affect public confidence in urban governance.

Supreme Court: This court is constrained to observe that pronounced inaction on effective implementation of ABC framework has resulted in an aggravation of the problem. Stray dog bites continue to occur. Reports reveal that the problem has assumed deeply disturbing proportions.

In the city of Sri Ganga nagar in Rajasthan alone 1,084 dog bites were reported in a month. Young children suffered grievous injuries, including mauling of their faces etc according to reports. TN recorded 2 lakh odd in the first four months of the year.

Supreme Court: This court cannot lose sight that ABC framework was introduced in 2001. There has been discernible absence of efforts to expand and quantify infrastructure in proportion to increasing population of stray dogs.

It had remained sporadic, lacking institutional depth. Sterilisation and vaccination drives been taken place without planning. It defeats the objects of the framework. Had states acted with due foresight, the present situation would not have assumed such alarming proportions.

Supreme Court: In para 85 we have concluded - this court finds no reason to interfere with the Nov SOP by AWBI. The challenge does not merit acceptance in the light of conclusions herein above. All IAs challenging the SoPs stands dismissed.

Supreme Court: We have divided the judgement into three parts. We have given detailed consideration to applications seeking recall of Nov 7 judgement. We have dismissed all the applications.

Bench assembles, Pronouncement of judgment begins...