Supreme Court warns of compensation for stray dog bites
The Supreme Court of India recently issued a strong warning regarding the growing issue of stray dog bites, emphasizing accountability for states and dog feeders. This stems from ongoing hearings on managing stray animals in public spaces.
A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath stated that states could face heavy compensation liabilities for every dog bite incident, death, or injury—particularly to children and the elderly—due to failure in implementing stray animal control norms over decades. The court also highlighted potential accountability for individuals feeding stray dogs, urging them to adopt the animals responsibly rather than allowing them to roam freely and pose risks.
Hearings continued on January 12-13, 2026, following a November 2025 order for relocating sterilized and vaccinated strays to shelters, without releasing them back to original sites. Justices expressed frustration over the issue turning into a “public platform” and stressed enforcement of statutory provisions, with arguments set to resume on January 20.
This approach aims to curb rising rabies deaths and attacks by holding authorities and feeders liable, potentially shifting from leniency toward stricter measures like compensation payouts. Municipal bodies and states must now prioritize action plans to avoid financial penalties.
