‘You are completely removed from reality, don’t glorify dogs in hospitals’: SC to Sharmila Tagore

The Supreme Court of India on Friday strongly criticised actor Sharmila Tagore over her arguments opposing a uniform approach to tackling India’s growing stray dog problem, calling the submissions “completely devoid of reality.”

The sharp remarks came as the apex court heard Tagore’s plea challenging recent measures related to the management of stray dogs in public spaces. The court firmly rejected the examples cited by her counsel, who argued that a one-size-fits-all solution may not be appropriate and that not all stray dogs pose a threat.

“You are completely removed from reality. Don’t try to glorify these dogs in hospitals,” the bench observed, reacting to the lawyer’s reference to a “friendly” dog that has reportedly lived on the AIIMS campus for several years.

During the hearing, Tagore’s lawyer acknowledged that some dogs may need to be put to sleep but insisted this should only happen after they are formally identified as “aggressive” by an expert committee.

“We suggest an expert committee for considering the behaviour of dogs… Let’s see the difference between aggressive and normal dogs,” the counsel said, citing a dog named ‘Goldie’ at AIIMS as an example.

The court, however, dismantled the argument point by point. Questioning the practicality of allowing stray dogs in hospital premises, the bench said, “Any dog that’s on the streets is bound to have ticks. And a dog with ticks in a hospital will have disastrous consequences. Do you understand? We’ll let you know the reality of what is being argued.”

The bench reiterated its strong objection, again stating that attempts to “glorify” the presence of stray dogs in sensitive public spaces like hospitals were unrealistic.

After facing pushback, Tagore’s lawyer referred to practices in countries such as Georgia and Armenia, suggesting colour-coded collars to distinguish aggressive dogs from non-aggressive ones.

The court dismissed the comparison, asking, “What is the population of those countries? Please be realistic, counsel,” underlining India’s vastly different demographic and infrastructural challenges.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court clarified that it has not ordered the removal of all stray dogs from the streets. The court said its directions were limited to ensuring that stray canines are treated in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.

In her petition, Tagore argued that addressing the stray dog issue requires a scientific and psychological approach. Her counsel submitted that the ABC Rules may not be foolproof and should be revisited.

“The answer is science, psychology, and a module-specific framework whereby dogs have to be captured and then released,” the lawyer told the court.

The matter continues to highlight the tension between public safety concerns and animal welfare advocacy as India grapples with managing its stray dog population.