The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday raised serious concerns over civic authorities failing to enforce guidelines on managing stray animals, noting that people across the country are losing their lives not only due to dog bites but also because of road accidents caused by stray animals.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria made the remarks while hearing petitions seeking modification of the court’s earlier directions. The petitions included appeals from animal welfare supporters as well as those demanding stricter enforcement of regulations. The bench said the hearing was being revisited because several lawyers and activists had claimed they were not heard prior to the court’s November 7 order.
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“Roads must be free from stray dogs and animals. It is not just about dog bites — stray animals roaming on roads are causing serious accidents. Nobody knows how a dog may behave at any given time. Civic authorities must strictly enforce the rules and guidelines,” the bench observed.
Justice Sandeep Mehta added that even members of the judiciary have been affected by such incidents, noting that two Rajasthan High Court judges had suffered accidents involving stray animals in the past 20 days, with one still recovering from spinal injuries.
The court’s observations highlight mounting public safety concerns and the pressing need for effective implementation of animal control policies by local bodies nationwide.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
