SABU PULLAN vs STATE OF KERALA — T.C.(C) No. 20/2026

Case Summary Case Title: Suo Moto Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5/2025 — "City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price" Status: ONGOING - Reserved for Orders on 13th January, 2026 Overview This is a landmark Public Interest Litigation addressing the menace of stray dogs and their attacks causing rabies deaths and injuries, particularly to children and vulnerable citizens in India's cities. The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance in July 2025 and has issued several comprehensive orders to manage the stray dog population while balancing animal welfare concerns. Key Orders Issued Order dated 22nd August 2025 (Three-Judge Bench - Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, N.V. Anjaria) This order clarified and modified earlier directions, striking a balance between public safety and animal welfare: Part I - Stray Dog Management: - Municipal authorities to capture and sterilize stray dogs, then release them back to original locations (with exceptions) - Exception: Dogs infected with/suspected of rabies OR displaying aggressive behavior are NOT to be released back onto streets - Designated feeding zones to be created in each municipal ward; street feeding prohibited - Helpline systems to report violations - Non-compliance penalties including contempt proceedings Part II - Highway Animal Management: - Removal of cattle and stray animals from all National/State Highways and expressways - Establishment of designated shelters for relocated animals - 24x7 highway patrol teams - Status reports from Chief Secretaries within 8 weeks Part III - Institutional Areas (NEW DIRECTIONS): The Court issued extensive directions for protecting educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations from stray dog attacks: - Securing Premises: 8-week deadline for adequate fencing/boundary measures - Designated Nodal Officers: Each institution to appoint officers responsible for cleanliness and preventing stray dog ingress - Mandatory Dog Removal: Stray dogs found in institutional premises must be removed and NOT released back to same location - Anti-Rabies Stocks: All hospitals to maintain mandatory stocks of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin - School Awareness: Schools mandated to conduct awareness sessions on preventive behavior around animals - Animal Welfare Board SOPs: Standard Operating Procedures for stray dog prevention in institutions within 4 weeks Compliance Status: - Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs to file affidavits within 8 weeks - Animal Welfare Board to submit nationwide sterilization status and uniform SOPs - Next Hearing: 13th January 2026 Earlier Orders Order dated 11th August 2025 (Two-Judge Bench - Justices Pardiwala, Mahadevan) Original Mandatory Directions (SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED): - Pickup and shelter all stray dogs (not release back to streets) - Create dog shelters/pounds for 5,000+ dogs within 6-8 weeks - Helpline for reporting dog bites (4-hour response requirement) - Sterilization, deworming, and vaccination as per Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 - CCTV monitoring of shelters - Proper care standards (no starvation, 2 staff on-site always, medical care) --- Critical Issues Addressed 1. Public Health Crisis: 37.15 lakh dog bites reported in India in 2024; 25,210 in Delhi alone; 3,196 in January 2025 alone 2. Vulnerable Populations: Children, elderly, visually impaired, homeless persons disproportionately affected 3. Legal Framework: Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 vs. Right to Life under Article 21 4. Institutional Vulnerability: Alarming spike in dog bites within hospitals, schools, railway stations 5. Infrastructure Gaps: Insufficient dog shelters, trained veterinarians, and enforcement resources Parties Involved - Petitioner: Ms. Nanita Sharma (In-person) - Respondents: State of Andhra Pradesh & multiple States/UTs - Amicus Curiae: Mr. Gaurav Agrawal, Sr. Advocate - Solicitor General: Mr. Tushar This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.