The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a series of challenges seeking to change earlier orders in the stray dogs case.
Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria reserved their judgment after hearing amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwal, who summarized the steps taken by states like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The bench also heard counsel appearing for the NHAI regarding compliance with the directive dated November 7, 2025, where the authority was directed to remove stray animals from national highways and road fencing.
The Supreme Court has asked India’s Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to process applications from NGOs seeking permission for animal shelters or birth control facilities.
“Either accept it or reject the applications, but do it expeditiously,” the bench told the AWBI counsel, who pointed out that there has been an increase in such applications from various organizations after the court’s November 7 order.
The Supreme Court invited the participants to submit their written submissions in the case as soon as possible.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed its dismay at state governments’ failure to follow its directions to increase sterilization capacity for stray dogs, saying, “Everyone is building castles in the air.”
The Supreme Court was hearing several petitions seeking modification of its November 7, 2025 order directing authorities to remove stray animals from institutional areas and roads.
On January 13, the apex court said it would ask states to pay “high compensation” for dog bite cases and hold dog feeders accountable in such cases.
The court also flagged concerns over non-implementation of stray animal norms over the past five years.
In view of the “alarming increase” in dog bite cases in institutional areas such as educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations, the Supreme Court on November 7 ordered the shifting of stray dogs to designated shelters after proper sterilization and vaccination.
It also stated that stray dogs picked up would not be released back to their original location.
The court directed the authorities to ensure the removal of all cattle and other stray animals from state highways, national highways and expressways.
The Supreme Court is hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 last year, over a media report on a stray dog bite that led to rabies, especially among children, in the state capital.
