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Supreme Court Signals Heavy Payouts for Dog Bites, Mulls Liability for Feeders

Frustrated by years of poor enforcement of sterilisation and shelter rules, the bench is turning to financial and legal accountability to spur concrete action.

Overview

  • The three-judge bench warned it is likely to fix heavy compensation on states for each stray-dog bite, injury or death, citing failures to make requisite arrangements.
  • The Court indicated individuals and organisations that feed street dogs may be held liable for attacks and urged feeders to take responsibility by keeping the animals on their premises.
  • Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria are monitoring compliance with their November 7, 2025 order to remove strays from schools, hospitals, stations and similar premises and relocate them to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination.
  • The bench criticised municipal non-implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, called the proceedings a ‘public platform’ rather than a hearing, and pressed states and the Union to present concrete plans.
  • The Court reiterated it has not ordered culling, rejected empathy or feeding as a sufficient safety response, and kept the matter for further hearing to consider effective enforcement measures.