State Correspondents Exclusive
Supreme Court Crackdown: States to Pay Heavy Fines for Every Dog Bite Death
By State Correspondent News Desk | New Delhi | Wednesday, January 14, 2026
In a historic move to address the escalating stray dog menace, the **Supreme Court of India** has warned that state governments and the Union will be held financially liable for every injury or death caused by dog bites. A three-judge bench, comprising **Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria**, expressed deep dissatisfaction over the “complete failure” of authorities to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules for the past 75 years.
🔴 Judicial Mandate:
- State Liability: Heavy compensation will be fixed for victims, particularly children and the elderly, to be paid by the respective State Governments.
- Feeder Accountability: Individuals or organizations feeding stray dogs in public places will now be held legally and financially responsible for any attacks by those animals.
- Permanent Relocation: Reaffirming its 2025 order, the court insisted dogs must be removed from public hotspots like schools, hospitals, and bus stands.
“Take Them Home or Face Fines”
The bench sharply questioned the logic of feeding stray dogs in residential areas without taking ownership. “If you want to feed them, keep them in your houses. Why should they be allowed to roam around, biting and chasing people?” the court remarked. Justice Sandeep Mehta further noted that the effects of a dog bite are often “lifelong,” leaving physical and psychological scars that require significant compensation.
The court has scheduled a half-day session with the Union and State representatives for January 20, 2026, to review their specific “plan of action” and ensure immediate implementation of statutory provisions.
| Subject | Supreme Court Ruling |
|---|---|
| Deaths/Injuries | States to pay “Heavy Compensation” to victims. |
| Dog Feeders | Liable for damages if their ‘fed’ dogs bite others. |
| Next Hearing | January 20, 2026, for state action plans. |
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