A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Nath, Mehta and N V Anjaria is slated to hear the matter on January 7. File photo
SC notes surge in stray dog pleas, says human cases see fewer filings
SC bench led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta notes unusual flood of interlocutory pleas as suo motu case on stray dogs grows in scale and complexity
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (January 6) took note of the number of interlocutory applications being filed in the stray dogs case and said that so many applications normally don't come even in human-related cases.
Who let the dogs out?
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta made these observations when two lawyers made fresh applications on the stray dogs matter before them. One of the lawyers has also filed an interlocutory application in the case, according to PTI.
Justice Mehta observed, “So many applications normally don't even come in cases of humans.”
Also read: Shashi Tharoor joins stray dog debate after SC order: 'Flaw in our system'
A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Nath, Mehta and N V Anjaria is slated to hear the matter on Wednesday (January 7).
As per the PTI report, the Bench has assured lawyers that all the pending pleas, including a transfer petition, will be taken up for hearing.
Also read: Detailed SC order on stray dogs: ‘No mistreatment, cruelty at shelters’
This case has dominated headlines across the country, with both animal rights activists and other stakeholders from various sectors filing intervention and interlocutory applications - both in support of animal welfare and in favour of social welfare and more rigid enforcement against dangerous stray animals.
Case origins and orders
The top court is hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28, 2025 over the stray dog issue, in response to media reports on stray dog bites causing rabies, especially in children, in the national capital.
On November 7, 2025 the apex court took note of the “alarming rise” in dog bite incidents within institutional areas like educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations. It then directed for the relocation of stray dogs to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination had been done.
Also read: SC order on stray dogs: Key points you should know
The Bench also said these stray dogs that were picked up, shall not be released back in the place they were originally picked up from.
It also directed the authorities to remove all cattle and other stray animals away from state highways, national highways and expressways.
Also read: SC directs stray dogs be moved from institutional areas to designated shelters
The apex court noted that the recurrence of dog bite incidents within institutional areas, thus reflected not only administrative “apathy” but also a "systemic failure" that would secure these premises from preventable hazards.
With this issue growing in the public purview, the Supreme Court’s recent observation reflects a growing concern with the issue of stray dogs, and its sheer legal complexity and magnitude across the nation.
(With agency inputs)