Today, On18th December, In the stray dogs case, a petitioner raised concerns about the “inhuman” treatment of animals. The Supreme Court responded, saying a video will be shown during the next hearing, challenging the notion of humanity and asking, “Will play video, ask you what is humanity.”
In response to a petitioner in the stray dogs case who raised concerns about the “inhuman” treatment of these animals, the Supreme Court announced that a video will be shown during the next hearing, challenging the notion of humanity.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the case, informed a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that a planned assembly of a three-judge special bench was called off.
Justice Nath scheduled the case for January 7.
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Sibal stated,
“The problem is that the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) has, in the meantime, formulated some rules that are completely contrary.”
When the bench mentioned they would address the issue on January 7, Sibal argued that the authorities would implement these rules in December itself, emphasizing that they lack dog shelters.
Justice Nath responded,
“It is alright Mr. Sibal. Let them do it, we will consider.”
Sibal implored the bench to expedite the hearing to Friday, citing the inhuman situation faced by the dogs due to the absence of shelters.
Justice Mehta told Sibal,
“On the next date, we will play a video for your benefit and we will ask you what is humanity.”
Sibal replied that they, too, would present a video illustrating the current situation.
He remarked,
“The problem is your lordships have passed an order, and we respect that. But the point is, there are statutory rules.”
The bench reiterated that it would review the case on January 7.
Earlier, On November 7, the Supreme Court took note of the alarming rise in dog bite incidents in institutional areas like schools, hospitals, and railway stations.
The court ordered the immediate relocation of stray dogs to designated shelters after they have been sterilized and vaccinated. The special bench also decreed that any stray dogs captured shall not be returned to their original locations.
Additionally, the court mandated the removal of all stray cattle and other animals from state and national highways, as well as expressways. The increase in dog bite incidents in institutional settings highlighted not only administrative negligence but also a systemic failure to safeguard these areas from preventable dangers.
The apex court is addressing this issue in a suo motu case initiated on July 28, following a media report about stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children in the national capital.
Previously, On August 22, 2025, a three-judge special bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath, along with Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, modified its earlier August 11 order that had prohibited the release of stray dogs from shelters.
The suo motu case was initiated on July 28, following media reports of rising stray dog attacks and rabies cases, particularly among children in Delhi.
Earlier order of August 11, passed by a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, had created huge controversy. That order had directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR must be caught and sent to shelters within eight weeks.
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