The Supreme Court (SC) has summoned Chief Secretaries of defaulting States, including Tripura, for failing to comply with the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023, expressing concern over rising stray dog attacks and warning strict action for continued non-compliance.
In a stern rebuke to several States and Union Territories, the Supreme Court of India on Monday directed the Chief Secretaries of all defaulting States, including Tripura, to appear in person before it on November 3 for failing to comply with the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules), 2023. The directive follows repeated instances of non-compliance despite earlier warnings, as the court expressed strong displeasure over the worsening stray dog menace across the nation.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria observed that the continued laxity of authorities in implementing the rules had contributed significantly to the surge in stray dog-related incidents across the country. The bench stressed that such negligence not only endangered public safety but also tarnished the image of India internationally.
“Continuous incidents are happening, and the image of the country is being shown as down in the eyes of foreign nations. We are also reading news reports,” remarked Justice Vikram Nath during the hearing.
The apex court noted that, so far, only West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had filed their compliance affidavits, outlining measures undertaken to implement the ABC Rules, 2023. The remaining States and Union Territories—including Tripura, several Northeastern States, and others—failed to submit the required reports despite multiple reminders.
Court’s Concern Over Rising Stray Dog Attacks
The Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case, titled In Re: ‘City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay the Price’, initiated earlier this year after a series of disturbing incidents of stray dog attacks, including several fatal cases involving children, were reported from various parts of the country.
The bench expressed that such attacks reflected systemic failure in managing the stray dog population effectively. It reiterated that every State and UT was duty-bound to ensure the implementation of sterilisation, immunisation, and de-worming of stray dogs as mandated under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023.
“The 2023 Rules are not optional. They are statutory obligations meant to protect both animals and citizens,” the bench stated firmly, adding that failure to act could invite coercive measures against the erring authorities.
Tripura Among States Under Scrutiny
The court specifically mentioned Tripura among the defaulting States, directing its Chief Secretary to file an explanation for the delay in submitting compliance details. The State government has been asked to provide full documentation of steps taken to control the stray dog population, including details of sterilisation drives, infrastructure creation, and awareness initiatives.
Tripura and other Northeastern States have faced growing concerns over stray dog attacks in recent years, with urban and rural communities reporting frequent incidents. The court observed that lack of infrastructure, untrained personnel, and poor coordination among municipal bodies have worsened the crisis.
Implementation Gaps and Required Measures
The ABC (Dogs) Rules, 2023, introduced by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, mandate a comprehensive framework for the humane management of stray dogs through sterilisation, vaccination, and sheltering programs.
However, implementation has lagged in several States due to inadequate funding, lack of trained veterinary staff, and insufficient infrastructure such as dog pounds, shelters, and catching squads. The Court noted that designated feeding zones for community dogs were also missing in many municipalities, leading to unregulated feeding in public areas and consequent safety hazards.
The bench directed the Chief Secretaries to ensure:
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Establishment of proper animal birth control infrastructure
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Regular sterilisation and vaccination drives
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Maintenance of dog shelters and feeding zones
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Deployment of trained personnel for humane catching and handling
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Submission of verified progress reports before the next hearing
Next Hearing on November 3
The matter will next be heard on November 3, when the Chief Secretaries of all defaulting States and UTs are expected to appear before the bench in person. The Court warned that continued non-compliance could result in coercive action, signalling a zero-tolerance approach toward administrative negligence in this matter.
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With the growing number of stray dog attacks sparking national concern, the Supreme Court’s latest intervention aims to push State authorities into action and restore public confidence in the management of animal welfare and urban safety.
