New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday strongly criticised states over the growing stray dog menace and said it may direct them to pay heavy compensation in dog-bite cases, especially those involving children and the elderly. The court expressed concern that rules on stray dog control and management have not been implemented for the past five years.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria said that responsibility will not lie only with state authorities, but also with stray dog feeders and dog lovers, who may also be held “responsible” and “accountable” for attacks.

Justice Vikram Nath said the court would ask state governments to pay substantial compensation for deaths or injuries caused by stray dogs.

He remarked, “For every dog bite, death or injury caused to children or elderly, we are going to ask the state governments to pay heavy compensation, as they did not do anything on implementation of norms in the past five years. Also, responsibility and accountability will be fixed on those who are feeding these stray dogs. If you love these animals so much, then why don't you take them to your house. Why should these dogs loiter around, bite and scare people?”

Justice Sandeep Mehta supported this view and asked who should be held accountable when dogs attack a child. He said the court cannot “shut its eyes” to the problem.

The court was hearing petitions seeking modification of its November 7, 2025 order directing authorities to remove stray dogs from institutional areas and public roads.