New Delhi, August 23, 2025:
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India on Friday directed authorities across the country to implement aggressive sterilisation programs under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules to curb the alarming rise in stray dog populations and reduce rabies-related fatalities.The court has ordered the release of the dog on its native spot after sterilization, quashing the judgement given on the 11th August verdict by the two judge bench of the SC.
The three judge bench, headed by Justice Vikram Nath along with, Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, ruled that rapidly increasing stray dog numbers have created a serious public safety concern, particularly for children and elderly citizens.
Judgement Copy –
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The court observed that cities like Dehradun and Lucknow—which—reported a steady decline in stray dog numbers, proving the effectiveness of such programs.
Key Highlights of the Supreme Court Verdict
Aggressive Sterilisation Mandated:
- Authorities must intensify sterilisation efforts under the ABC Rules to control population growth.
Chemical Castration Approved:
- The court noted chemical castration is a safe, painless, and effective sterilisation method and encouraged its adoption nationwide.
Modified August 11 Order:
- The bench softened an earlier directive that prohibited releasing vaccinated stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. Now, sterilised and de-wormed dogs must be released back instead of being permanently confined.
Focus on Rabies Prevention:
- Highlighting rabies-related deaths, the court stressed the urgent need for mass sterilisation to minimize risks to human life.
Balancing Human & Animal Rights:
- While prioritizing public safety, the ruling also safeguards the right to life of stray dogs by prohibiting unnecessary culling or confinement.
Court’s Stand on Public Safety & Animal Welfare
- The verdict stems from a suo motu case initiated on July 28, following alarming reports of rabies-related deaths caused by stray dog bites in the national capital.
Quoting the bench:
“It is indisputable that human beings bitten by rabid dogs suffer indescribably, and many times, the infection proves fatal. Aggressive sterilisation would definitely curb the rapid growth of stray dog population, ultimately leading to its reduction.”
The court also clarified that authorities must ensure proper vaccination, sterilisation, and de-worming before releasing stray dogs to the streets, thereby ensuring safer neighborhoods while maintaining ecological balance.
Impact of the Verdict
This ruling is set to reshape India’s animal birth control strategy, paving the way for:
- Nationwide sterilisation campaigns
- Fewer rabies infections and dog-bite cases
- A balanced approach between public safety and animal rights
- Uniform implementation of ABC Rules across states
The Supreme Court’s proactive stance is expected to reduce stray dog populations significantly over the next few years and ensure safer public spaces.
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