The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday, January 28, expressed serious concern over the sharp rise in dog bite incidents in Assam, with specific implications for urban centres like Guwahati, while hearing a nationwide case on the management of stray dogs.
The observations came after the court was informed of major gaps in the implementation of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules in Assam, despite alarming bite statistics reported from across the state.
The Supreme Court on January 28 flagged Assam’s 1.66 lakh dog bite cases in 2024 and questioned the lack of Animal Birth Control infrastructure, including in Guwahati. The court noted the absence of ABC centres, dog pounds and trained manpower, calling the situation “shocking” and seeking a concrete action plan.
What the Supreme Court Said
Appearing before a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwal submitted that Assam recorded:
- 1.66 lakh dog bite cases in 2024
- 20,900 cases in January 2025 alone
Reacting to the figures, the Bench remarked, “These statistics are astonishing. This is shocking.”
Guwahati’s Situation in Focus
During the hearing, the amicus curiae highlighted that Assam has only three municipal corporations, including Guwahati, which should have been the first point of implementation for ABC infrastructure such as:
- Dog pounds
- ABC centres
- Trained veterinary and handling staff
However, the court was informed that only Dibrugarh currently has a dog pound, while Guwahati, Assam’s largest city, does not have a fully functional ABC centre.
This has raised concerns as Guwahati regularly reports stray dog-related incidents across residential colonies, markets and school zones.
Gaps in Assam’s Affidavit
Agarwal told the court that while Assam has claimed it will establish facilities within six months, the state affidavit lacks clarity on:
- Location of proposed ABC centres
- Availability of trained manpower
- Funding and timelines
He further pointed out that the affidavit was silent on human resources, a critical component for running ABC programmes in cities like Guwahati.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Public health experts say Guwahati’s growing population, unplanned urban expansion and high stray dog density make it particularly vulnerable to:
- Dog bite incidents
- Rabies risk
- Strain on government hospitals
The Supreme Court’s observations are expected to put pressure on Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the state government to urgently strengthen stray dog management.
What Happens Next
The apex court is expected to seek a clear action plan from the Assam government, detailing timelines and infrastructure rollout. Urban centres, especially Guwahati, are likely to be prioritised in future directions issued by the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Assam reported around 1.66 lakh hint: dog bite cases in 2024, according to data cited before the Supreme Court.
As per submissions before the Supreme Court, Guwahati does not currently have a fully functional Animal Birth Control centre.
