New Delhi: India’s top court expressed strong frustration on Monday over state governments’ failure to tackle the growing threat of stray dogs roaming freely and attacking people. During a hearing, the bench sharply criticized officials for ignoring orders to capture these animals and carry out sterilization procedures. The judges pointed out that such inaction is tarnishing the country’s reputation on the global stage, making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The court recalled that it had issued clear directives back in August, giving authorities a full two months to act. Yet, little to no progress has been made, and attacks continue unabated. “You had plenty of time, but nothing happened,” the bench remarked, highlighting how these incidents are damaging India’s image abroad. The judges urged states to wake up, asking if they even follow the news—especially since the August order made waves across media outlets.
To drive the point home, the bench shared recent chilling examples. In Pune, Maharashtra, a child was mauled by a pack of dogs. Not long before that, in Bhandara district of the same state, around 20 strays savagely attacked a little girl. Last week in Kerala, a man performing a street play about stray dogs was bitten while on stage. Similar horrors unfolded in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where three family members fell victim to bites, and just a day earlier in Warangal, Telangana.
Despite these alarming reports, most states have stayed silent, offering no updates or plans. Only West Bengal and Telangana submitted responses, along with Delhi’s Municipal Corporation. The court was puzzled that even in the capital, the local body replied while the state government did not. In a firm move, the Supreme Court has now demanded personal appearances from the chief secretaries of all states and union territories. They must explain the delays and outline concrete steps forward.
One bright spot: Rajasthan stands out as the only state taking real initiative. Local bodies there are setting up feeding zones for strays and partnering with resident welfare groups and animal care organizations to manage the issue humanely. This hearing underscores a pressing need for nationwide action to protect communities from these preventable dangers while addressing animal welfare responsibly.
