Supreme Court’s stray dog ruling echoes in Shimla as bite cases cross 800 in 2025

Shimla, Aug 24,

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on stray dogs, delivered on August 22, has drawn National attention and carries significant relevance for Shimla, where dog bite cases have become a major public health concern. The apex court, while modifying its earlier order, has now allowed sterilised, dewormed and vaccinated stray dogs to be released back into the same localities from which they were picked up, barring those found to be rabid or displaying aggressive behaviour. Such dogs, the Court directed, should be kept in separate shelters after treatment. The order also mandated municipal authorities across India to create feeding zones for strays, set up helplines for reporting violations, and ensure strict compliance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. By doing so, the Court has attempted to balance public safety and animal welfare, in the backdrop of alarming reports of fatalities due to rabies following dog attacks in cities like Delhi.

In Shimla, the menace has been escalating at a worrying pace. According to official data, more than 800 dog bite cases have been recorded in the city this year, while combined figures for dog and monkey bites have crossed 2,500 in the last 20 months. On average, Shimla witnesses nearly 184 dog bite incidents every month, with children and the elderly emerging as the most vulnerable groups. Residents complain that walking through neighbourhoods and parks, particularly after dark, often means confronting packs of aggressive dogs. At the same time, the lack of a dedicated helpline or adequate facilities for anti-rabies treatment has left many victims struggling for timely medical care.

Against this backdrop, the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated a first-of-its-kind experiment that may complement the Supreme Court’s directive. On August 16, the civic body began equipping stray dogs with QR and GPS-enabled collars. Each collar carries details such as sterilisation status, vaccination records, age, and behavioural traits of the animal. Citizens can access this information instantly by scanning the code on their smartphones, while authorities are able to monitor and track the movements and health data of strays. The idea, officials say, is to bring transparency into stray management, reduce public fear, and ensure aggressive or rabid dogs are identified and separated.

The initiative, though has sparked debate. While some view it as a humane, technology-driven solution that could set an example for other Indian cities, critics question whether it will tangibly reduce bite incidents without stronger sterilisation drives and stricter enforcement of feeding regulations.

Nevertheless, Shimla’s digital collar project, when seen alongside the Supreme Court’s ruling, highlights a shift towards scientific and compassionate management of the stray dog population. For a city grappling with hundreds of bite cases each year, the coming months will reveal whether this mix of legal mandate and civic innovation can finally bring relief to both residents and animals.