Not Directed Removal Of Every Dog From Streets : SC

8th January 2026 at 5:32 PM

1 minute read

SC on Thursday observed that dogs can sense fear in humans and may attack when they detect it, as it resumed hearing a suo motu case on the surge in dog bite incidents across the country.

New Delhi : SC on Thursday observed that dogs can sense fear in humans and may attack when they detect it, as it resumed hearing a suo motu case on the surge in dog bite incidents across the country. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria said animals often respond to human behaviour, noting from what it described as personal experience that fear can trigger aggression.

When a dog lover present in the courtroom expressed disagreement by nodding her head, the judges cautioned her against dismissing the observation. “Madam, don’t nod your head. If they know you are scared, there is a higher chance they will attack you. Even your pet will do it,” the bench said. The hearing formed part of a series of petitions seeking modification of earlier Supreme Court orders on stray dogs, filed both by animal lovers and by those demanding strict enforcement of existing directions.

The bench had flagged non-compliance by municipal bodies, pointing out that fatalities linked to stray animals were not limited to dog bites alone but also included road accidents caused by animals roaming freely. Stressing that an animal’s “mood to bite or not” cannot be predicted, the court underlined the need for preventive measures over reactive responses. In November last year, the Supreme Court had directed authorities to remove stray dogs from sensitive public areas such as schools, hospitals, bus stands, sports complexes and railway stations, and to relocate them to designated shelters.

He also warned that overcrowded shelters could become breeding grounds for other diseases. There has to be a balance. Your lordships know what happened in Surat 20-30 years ago,” Singh submitted, referring to past public health concerns. Responding with a lighter remark, the bench said cats naturally control rodent populations and suggested, tongue-in-cheek, that promoting more cats and fewer dogs could be a solution.