Citizens’ Right to a Safe Life

May 22, 2026

The Supreme Court has repeatedly addressed the threats that stray dogs pose to the lives and safety of Indian citizens. In recent times, the population of these dogs has surged to alarming levels.

Under the guise of animal welfare—and championed by advocates of humanity and compassion—neither is permission granted to drive these dogs away, nor to cull them. In fact, if an animal is killed, it is legally deemed a grave offense, and the perpetrator may face punishment. The ideal solution, given the rapid proliferation of stray dogs, would be to establish shelter homes where these animals could be housed.

However, in a densely populated nation like ours—where adequate shelter facilities do not even exist for ordinary citizens—where, then, could such provisions possibly be made for dogs? The current reality is that dogs are frequently seen roaming in packs across public spaces, parks, and other sensitive areas. Reports of life-threatening attacks by dogs on citizens continue to surface regularly.

Living amidst stray dogs has become a terrifying ordeal. On several previous occasions, the Supreme Court has issued directives to house dogs in shelter homes and to sterilize them to curb population growth; it has also instructed the relevant authorities to take measures to deal with dangerous dogs. The Supreme Court has now definitively determined *how* this issue is to be addressed.

The Court has explicitly ruled that dangerous dogs must be culled. The fundamental “Right to Live with Dignity” inherently encompasses the right of an individual to lead a free life, unburdened by the fear of dogs.

State governments must not remain mere mute spectators to dog attacks, watching the unfolding tragedy with indifference. How could the Court possibly turn a blind eye to the stark reality that children, the elderly, and foreign tourists alike are falling victim to dog bites? It is absolutely imperative that such incidents be prevented.

While upholding the philosophy that animals must not be subjected to cruelty, dangerous dogs cannot be permitted to roam free, as they have evolved into a grave and critical public safety issue. The National Centre for Disease Control states that, on average, more than 10,000 people in India fall victim to dog bites every day.

On an annual basis, an average of 3.717 million cases of dog bites are reported. Out of every 100 deaths caused by dog bites globally, 36 occur in India. The majority of those who fall victim to stray dogs are children under the age of 15 or the elderly.

Every year, more than 500,000 children are bitten by dogs. Since children are small in stature, dogs often attack them directly on the face, neck, and head. It is often advised that if a dog lunges to bite, one should not run away but rather stand still; the dog, after sniffing, will supposedly turn back on its own.

However, nowadays, dogs rarely let go after merely sniffing; in the blink of an eye, a victim of a dog bite can lose their life. The proper treatment does not involve applying turmeric, mud, or lime to the wound; instead, experts advise keeping the wound open and completing the full course of vaccinations.

The Supreme Court’s directive to cull dangerous dogs has faced criticism; Maneka Gandhi, along with other animal lovers, has issued statements arguing that while human lives are highly valued, it is now time to also show concern for these voiceless, innocent creatures.

However, amidst such debates and counter-arguments, the alarming proliferation of the dog population undoubtedly poses a grave threat to humanity. The only viable solution lies in adopting a comprehensive strategy ranging from establishing shelter homes to implementing large-scale dog sterilization campaigns.