In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Tuesday permitted authorities to euthanise rabid and aggressive stray dogs in accordance with the law. The direction was issued while the court dismissed a batch of petitions seeking changes to its earlier order on the relocation and management of stray dogs.

The bench observed that authorities may take “legally permissible measures”, including euthanasia, in cases involving incurably ill, rabid, or demonstrably dangerous dogs, following the Animal Birth Control Rules and other statutory protocols, to address threats to human life and safety.

A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria termed the growing presence of stray dogs in public places as “alarming”. The court said incidents of dog attacks, especially involving children and elderly people, could not be ignored.

Referring to the increasing number of dog bite cases, the Supreme Court refused to dilute its previous directions issued to authorities for removing stray dogs from public spaces.

The court also pulled up state governments for failing to properly implement earlier directions.

Last year, the apex court had ordered authorities to remove stray dogs from places such as hospitals, parks, and railway stations, and shift them to shelters. It had further directed that sterilised dogs should not be released back into the same areas from where they were picked up. Feeding stray dogs in public places was also prohibited, except in designated feeding zones.

Several NGOs and animal lovers had moved the Supreme Court seeking modification of these directions.