Madras HC seeks reports from TN, Puducherry on curbing stray dogs

The Madras High Court has mandated that the governments of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry submit status reports within four weeks. These reports must detail the steps taken to implement the Supreme Court's directives concerning the management of stray dog populations and the protection of public safety. The court initiated this matter as a public interest litigation, with Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan leading the proceedings.

Both state governments are required to provide specific information. This includes the number of animal birth control centers established, the veterinarians and trained staff appointed, and the frequency of sterilization and vaccination campaigns. The court also requested details on measures to remove stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, parks, and bus stands. Furthermore, information on the creation of helpline numbers for dog bite incidents and mechanisms for stray dog adoption is being sought.

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authorities must give top priority to making school premises free of stray dogs.

The court emphasized the urgent need to prioritize making school premises free of stray dogs. This judicial action stems from a Supreme Court order that voiced significant concern over the escalating stray dog population, deeming it an "increasingly feral" threat to public safety. The apex court noted that compassion for animal life should not compromise citizens' safety and bodily integrity. Reports indicate Tamil Nadu recorded 263,000 dog-bite cases and 17 deaths in 2025, highlighting the severity of the issue. The Supreme Court attributed the problem to the failure of state governments to effectively implement the Animal Birth Control framework introduced in 2001 and directed all high courts to initiate similar proceedings.

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Compassion for animal life, howsoever important, cannot be interpreted in a manner that compels citizens to endure recurring threats to their own lives, safety and bodily integrity.