Supreme Court Reserves Judgment on Stray Dog Menace; States Reprimanded

• The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on various petitions concerning stray dogs, including attacks, rabies, and ABC Rules 2023 compliance.
• A three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath heard arguments from all parties, including the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
• AWBI reported 76 recognized centers and over 250 pending applications, with Justice Nath urging quick processing of these applications.
• The Supreme Court reprimanded states for 75 years of inaction, warning of heavy compensation for dog bite incidents and holding feeders responsible.
• The debate pits humane solutions like sterilization and vaccination against public safety concerns regarding dog attacks on children, elderly, and tourists.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court reserves judgment on stray dog issue, emphasizing public safety and state accountability for rule implementation.