US EditionStray Dog Case: SC Warns States of Heavy Fine for Every Bite, Death; Feeders to Be Held Liable
The Supreme Court will hold states and dog feeders liable for dog-bite injuries, citing a five-year failure to implement animal control norms and threatening heavy compensation.
- On January 13, 2026, the Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria said it will require state governments to pay substantial compensation for each dog‑bite death or injury and hold dog feeders and dog lovers legally responsible.
- Facing petitions to modify the November 7, 2025 order, the court reviews compliance with directives on relocating stray canines after sterilisation and vaccination, initiated on July 28 last year.
- The bench emphasised human harm during arguments, highlighting the lifelong impact of bites and citing a 9-year-old child, while court records showed around 55,000 free-ranging feral dogs in Ladakh raised by conservation petitioners.
- The bench demanded cooperation from the Centre and state/local authorities and said it will monitor compliance, ordering removal from institutional areas and that picked‑up dogs not be returned.
- Intervenors and welfare lawyers pressed for re‑release and compassionate approaches, while activists and NGOs who delayed parts of the hearings and the public and media reactions remain mixed.
26 Articles
26 Articles
OnManorama
SC warns states of heavy compensation in stray dog attack deaths, flags delay in implementing norms
The bench added that even dog lovers and feeders will be held 'responsible' and 'accountable' for dog-bite incidents..dog bite compensation, stray dog attacks, supreme court stray dogs, dog bite liability, animal welfare laws, accountability for dog bites, stray animal management, LLM for animal welfare, AI for stray dog control, legal remedies for dog bites, dog feeder responsibility, institutional area stray dogs, national highway stray animal…
Times of India
The Economic Times'Will ask states to pay heavy compensation for dog-bite incidents': SC
The Supreme Court will direct states to pay substantial compensation for dog bite incidents. The court expressed concern over the lack of implementation of norms for stray animals. Dog feeders will also be held responsible for any dog bite incidents. This action follows the court's hearing of petitions regarding stray animal removal.
Heavy Compensation Likely for Dog Bite Cases, Supreme Court Warns States
The Supreme Court of India has indicated that both civic authorities and individuals who feed stray dogs may be held liable for injuries or deaths resulting from stray dog attacks. The bench, comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria, is monitoring compliance with previous orders mandating the removal of stray dogs from public institutions and the implementation of sterilisation and vaccination measures. The C…
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