Supreme Court (SC) ruling on euthanasia for rabid stray dogs on Tuesday

Key facts

• The Supreme Court (SC) of India allowed euthanasia for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs for the first time on Tuesday.
• A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria issued directions to manage the rising population of stray dogs and the threat to human life.
• The SC mandated that euthanasia and other legal measures must be taken in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023.
• Every district in the country is required to establish at least one fully functional Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre equipped with surgical facilities, trained personnel, and supporting logistics.
• The SC directed states and Union Territories to ensure that dogs picked up from public places for vaccination or sterilisation are not returned to the same spot.