On January 7, 2026, the Supreme Court of India addressed the threat posed by stray dogs and animals on roads, saying people are dying not only from dog bites but also from road accidents caused by roaming animals. A Bench led by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N. V. Anjaria is reconsidering its November 7 order on relocating stray dogs, following pleas by animal lovers and activists who said they were not heard earlier. The Court said, “No one knows which dog is in what mood,” highlighting the unpredictability even in the mornings. Justice Mehta shared that two Rajasthan High Court judges had accidents recently due to this issue, with one still injured. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal suggested using the scientific CSVR method—Capture, Sterilise, Vaccinate, and Release—to reduce the stray dog population and gradually lessen dog bite cases. Justice Nath agreed, stating, “Prevention is always better than cure.” The Court stressed adherence to all rules and guidelines by States and civic bodies and warned of strict consequences for non-compliance. The National Highways Authority of India has prepared a standard operating procedure, identifying 1,400 km of vulnerable roads, but states must implement actions. The Court proposed fencing highways and expressways to stop stray animals from entering them. Several states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab have not yet submitted compliance reports, termed “disappointing” by the Court. The hearing is ongoing. The Supreme Court’s initial November order demanded immediate removal of stray dogs from sensitive areas like educational institutions, hospitals, and railway stations after sterilisation and vaccination, prohibiting their release back to these places. The case began after media reports highlighted a sharp rise in stray dog bites leading to rabies, especially among children in Delhi. The Court calls failure to protect public spaces from stray animals a “systemic failure.” The hearing continues with hopes for enforcing humane and effective measures to ensure public safety and animal welfare.