'There Are Bite Incidents Everyday': Delhi HC Raises Alarm On Stray Dog Menace, Launches Suo Motu PIL

Last Updated:July 23, 2026, 14:16 IST

The High Court initiated a suo motu PIL to oversee and assess the implementation of the Supreme Court's directives on the management of stray dogs across Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Thursday observed that the tussle between “dog lovers and dog haters" continues to affect ordinary citizens, stressing the need to strike a balance between the two groups. The Court remarked that incidents of dog bites are reported almost every day, underscoring the gravity of such cases.

The High Court made the comments as it initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to oversee and assess the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives on the management of stray dogs across Delhi, the Times of India reported.

A division Bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta issued notices to the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Union government, seeking their response over the subject.

“I don’t know about Delhi, but in Rajasthan, there are two groups – one against pets and the other dog lovers. We have to strike a balance. These days there is a big fight between dog lovers and dog haters. The common man is really troubled. There are dog bite incidents every day. The monkey menace is even more serious," the Bench stated.

The Court directed the Delhi Government and the MCD to submit a comprehensive report by July 31, elaborating what measures were initiated to implement the apex court’s directives in the national capital.

Surging Stray Dog Population

The Court voiced its concern over surging population of stray dogs and the subsequent rise in dog bite cases. The Bench said the issue was evident even within the perimetres of the Delhi High Court.

“There are too many stray dogs. Even in the High Court premises, I see many dogs wearing collars. Are they trained dogs? Does the High Court own them? Whenever I visit the S Block, I find several dogs there. Are they pets? I don’t know. They are Indian dogs," the Bench remarked, according to the Times of India. 

The statement was made when counsel for the Delhi Government submitted to the Bench that the concerned authorities were working to mitigate the issue.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 3.

What Supreme Court Had Said

On May 19, the Supreme Court had laid down a series of directives to address the issue concerning dog bites across the country. The Court ruled that stray dogs be removed from public institutions, as well as crowded public places, such as schools, hospitals, railway stations, and bus depots.

The top court also permitted the euthanasia of rabid or severely aggressive dogs in accordance with the law. It also urged authorities to establish designated feeding zones in public spaces.

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