SAVE OUR ANIMALS CHARITABLE TRUST (SOACT) vs UNION OF INDIA — T.C.(C) No. 48/2026

Summary of T.C.(C) No. 000048/2026: Save Our Animals Charitable Trust v. Union of India Case Name SAVE OUR ANIMALS CHARITABLE TRUST (SOACT) v. UNION OF INDIA - Case Number: T.C.(C) No. 000048/2026 - Diary: 3300/2026 - Petitioner: Save Our Animals Charitable Trust (SOACT) - Respondent: Union of India Background This is a Transferred Case that arose from the Supreme Court's Suo Moto Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5 of 2025 titled "In Re: City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price." The main petition was initiated after the Court took suo moto cognizance of a newspaper report (Times of India, July 28, 2025) detailing alarming statistics about stray dog bite incidents, particularly affecting children and vulnerable populations in Delhi. Nature of the Dispute The case centers on the critical tension between animal welfare and public safety, specifically: 1. Public Health Concerns: Rising incidents of dog bites causing rabies, particularly affecting children, elderly persons, and vulnerable populations 2. Animal Welfare: Concerns regarding the humane treatment and rights of stray dogs 3. Implementation of Rules: Compliance with the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023, governing stray dog management Key Court Directions (November 7, 2025 Order) The Supreme Court issued comprehensive directions addressing three parts: Part I: Compliance Affidavits - All States and UTs submitted compliance affidavits (except Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu) - Learned Amicus Curiae (Mr. Gaurav Agarwal) submitted a detailed report highlighting deficiencies in implementation - States directed to file additional affidavits addressing gaps Part II: Highway Safety (Reaffirming Rajasthan High Court Order) - Direction A: Removal of cattle and stray animals from State/National Highways and Expressways - Direction B: Joint coordinated drives to identify and remove stray animals to designated shelters - Direction C: Dedicated highway patrol teams operating 24x7 - Direction D: Prominently displayed helplines at regular intervals on highways - Direction E: Chief Secretaries held personally accountable; strict enforcement required - Direction F: Status-cum-compliance affidavits within 8 weeks Part III: Institutional Areas Specific focus on securing educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations: - Direction A-E: Identification and securing premises; designation of Nodal Officers; regular municipal inspections every 3 months - Direction E (Critical): Stray dogs found in institutional areas shall NOT be released back to the same location (distinguishing from general ABC Rules) - Direction F: Mandatory stock of anti-rabies vaccines in all hospitals - Direction G: Awareness sessions in schools on preventive behavior around animals - Direction H-I: Security personnel for stadiums; proper waste management for transport hubs - Direction J: Animal Welfare Board to issue detailed SOPs within 4 weeks Case Status as of Latest Records - Last Order: November 7, 2025 - Next Listed Date: January 13, 2026 - Compliance Deadline: 8 weeks from November 7, 2025 (approximately early January 2026) - Pleadings Status: Multiple affidavits filed; case pending compliance review - Amicus Curiae Role: Mr. Gaurav Agrawal continues to assist Outcome Orders Reserved - The Court's January 13, 2026 hearing will determine compliance levels and issue further directions based on: 1. Affidavits filed by States/UTs/Union regarding institutional security 2. Status of anti-rabies vaccine availability 3. Implementation of Animal Welfare Board SOPs 4. Effectiveness of coordination mechanisms The case represents a landmark public interest litigation balancing fundamental rights to life and safety (Article 21) with statutory animal welfare obligations, setting national standards for stray dog management across institutional areas while maintaining animal welfare standards. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.