New Delhi: India is witnessing a rapid increase in dog bite cases. Supreme Court It has now stepped in with harsh comments over what it says is a public health situation that has reached “deeply disturbing proportions”. In a judgment passed on May 19, the court cited data showing that around 2.63 lakh dog bite cases were registered in Tamil Nadu and over 2 lakh such cases were registered in Karnataka and both in the first four months of 2026 alone. According to a report by Live Law, this raises serious concerns over public safety, management of stray dogs and the risk of rabies transmission.The observations came in a judgment confirming earlier directions to remove stray dogs from institutional premises and public places and check the state’s compliance with the animal birth control framework.What was said in the Supreme Court’s decision?A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria expressed concern over the increasing incidents of dog bites across the country and questioned whether the existing systems were working effectively in managing the situation of stray dogs.The court criticized the Central and State governments, saying that prolonged inaction had escalated the problem to seriously disturbing proportions, and that the response was largely reactive and crisis-driven rather than proactive and structured.According to the data discussed in the judgment, Tamil Nadu alone has recorded around 2.63 lakh dog bite cases and 17 deaths in the first four months of 2026. Karnataka recorded more than 2 lakh dog bite cases and at least 25 rabies-related deaths in the same period.The court further said that the issue reflects a sustained and widespread pattern of attacks resulting in serious physical injury, psychological trauma and in many cases even loss of human life.What regulations currently apply to stray dogs?India regulates the management of stray dogs through Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules made under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The framework was first introduced in 2001 and was strengthened through the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.These rules focus on sterilization, anti-rabies vaccination and rehabilitation restrictions for stray dogs. Under the framework, stray dogs generally cannot be indiscriminately removed or killed. Instead, local authorities are expected to conduct sterilization and vaccination programs before releasing the dogs back into their areas.Animal rights groups argue that mass sterilization and vaccination are the only humane and scientifically effective long-term solutions.What concerns were raised before the Court?The court stated that animal birth control centers were inadequate and often lacked trained personnel, veterinary expertise and equipment. Existing facilities were running below capacity, hampering sterilization and vaccination drives.Questions were raised over whether state governments and municipal corporations were maintaining reliable data on stray dog ​​population, vaccination coverage, sterilization targets and rabies-related deaths.The court further commented that although the ABC framework has been in existence for more than two decades, states and union territories have failed to expand the infrastructure to suit the growing stray dog ​​population – leaving implementation “sporadic, underfunded and uneven”.Does the law allow removal of stray dogs?Generally, stray dogs cannot be arbitrarily relocated or killed merely because they are present in an area. However, officers may take action in cases involving rabid dogs, seriously aggressive animals or situations that pose an immediate threat to public safety. Nevertheless, procedures set out under animal welfare laws and municipal regulations must be followed.However, the Supreme Court made it clear that although animal welfare is constitutionally important, it cannot override the state’s obligation to protect human life.This legal balancing act between protecting human life and ensuring animal welfare remains at the center of ongoing debate.A dog bite doesn’t just mean getting hurt. The biggest concern is rabies – a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.India accounts for a large share of rabies deaths globally every year. Children are among the most vulnerable victims as they are more likely to interact with stray animals and may not immediately report minor bites or scratches.The important thing is that the Supreme Court has also considered this a constitutional issue. It emphasized that the State has a duty under Article 21 to protect human life, and where human life and security are at stake, governments cannot cite financial constraints, administrative inconveniences or logistical difficulties as justification for inaction.