The Supreme Court of India has allowed the killing of dangerous stray dogs, ruling that authorities may remove them from public spaces. The court also directed that no FIR or criminal action shall be taken against officials implementing these orders.

Chief Secretaries of all states must inform their respective High Courts by August 5 about the implementation of these directives. The High Courts are to submit compliance reports to the Supreme Court by November 17.

The court observed that governments have failed to implement Animal Birth Control (ABC) standards effectively. As the stray dog population increases, the required infrastructure has not kept pace. The bench, headed by Justice Vikram Nath, ordered that adequate ABC centers with proper facilities be established in every district for birth control of stray dogs.

All government hospitals must have rabies prevention vaccines available and proper treatment facilities for dog bites. The High Courts must monitor compliance and assign a two-member bench for this purpose.

The court noted that stray dog attacks reported across the country pose a significant threat to public safety. Young children have been brutally killed by stray dog bites, elderly people have been attacked, and even foreign tourists have faced dog attacks in various parts of the country. The court stated that it cannot turn a blind eye to these realities.

The Supreme Court also refused to amend its November 2025 order directing the removal of stray dogs from public institutions including hospitals, schools, colleges, bus stands, and railway stations, as well as other public places.