Stray Dogs And Public Safety: The Supreme Court’s Legal Responses In India
- IJLLR Journal
- Sep 24
- 1 min read
Ram Narayan Garg, LL.M., Lovely Professional University, Phagwara
ABSTRACT
The conflict between protecting animals and keeping people safe in India is most clearly seen in the case of stray dogs. Every year, there are lakhs of dog bites and hundreds of deaths from rabies. At the same time, the law recognizes animal’s constitutional and statutory rights. This research paper looks at how the Supreme Court of India and the High Courts have made laws about stray dogs, balancing the needs of public safety, animal welfare, and civic governance. The analysis advances through a doctrinal and empirical framework, systematically tracing statutory provisions, judicial pronouncements, and policy measures in chronological order. The conversation also talks about the views of stakeholders, the problems that come up during implementation, and recent court cases, such as the suo motu Supreme Court hearings of August 2025. Ultimately, the paper contends that a rights-based equilibrium, founded on humane contraception, rigorous rabies control, and collaborative federalism, is essential for reconciling constitutional protections for both humans and animals.
