The Supreme Court on Thursday concluded hearings and reserved its judgment in a suo motu case initiated last year to address India’s growing stray dog problem. The case was heard by a Bench led by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria, which urged authorities to take stronger and more effective action.

After hearing final submissions from several states, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), the Court suggested that NHAI create a public mobile application to report stray animals on highways. “Why don’t you make an app so that anyone who spots an animal can click a picture and upload? You will have visuals,” the Court said. Responding to the suggestion, NHAI’s counsel stated, “We will do that.”

"What is happening in the centres that you (AWBI) have not recognised?" the Court eventually asked. This question led to disclosures about faulty sterilization data and raised concerns that funds may be being siphoned off by unqualified operators.

"There is surprising data. Where the dog population is less like in Uttarakhand, the sterilisation is more (the sterilisation numbers reported are more than the dog population numbers)," the counsel said.

As the hearing concluded, the AWBI’s lawyer pointed to a clear discrepancy. He said that only 76 sterilization centres have been officially recognised across the country, even though States have reported that 883 centres are currently operating.

“There are certain pending applications. There are more than 250 applications … There are 883 running, as per data given by States, but they have not yet been given recognition by us,” the counsel told the court.

Supreme Court Flags Grant Misuse:

"The reasons are obvious. Everyone is aware of it. How much grant is given," the Court observed. "Less said, the better," the counsel added. "Yes. Less said is better," the Court said. It added, "The only request to the AWBI is whatever applications are pending, you should process them, and either you reject them or grant them within a specified time."

Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria then reserved their order and granted the lawyers one week to file written submissions.

Case Details: IN RE : 'CITY HOUNDED BY STRAYS, KIDS PAY PRICE', SMW(C) No. 5/2025