STRAY DOGS WITHIN THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK: BALANCING OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND ANIMAL WELFARE

AUTHOR – JOS K PRATHEESH, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF LAW, CHRIST (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY), BENGALURU

BEST CITATION – JOS K PRATHEESH, STRAY DOGS WITHIN THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK: BALANCING OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND ANIMAL WELFARE, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (1) OF 2025, PG. 1107-1114, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

The issue of stray dogs remains a significant challenge in India, sparking concerns and debates over public safety, legal accountability, and animal welfare. The rising population of stray dogs has resulted in frequent incidents of human-animal conflict, including attacks on individuals and the transmission of diseases like rabies. At the same time, legal provisions under various statutes mandate the protection of these animals, emphasizing humane treatment and prohibiting harm, thereby creating a complex legal and ethical dilemma. This research aims to address and resolve this complex dilemma, in order find a solution for this quandary. The judiciary, as the guardian of constitutional rights, has played a crucial role in interpreting the law, balancing human safety with the protection of stray animals, and establishing guidelines for their management. As modern scenarios demand clearer interpretations of statutes by the judiciary, this research paper largely examines the judicial response to stray dog-related concerns with the help of landmark precedents, legislative measures, and municipal responsibilities, relying primarily on a doctrinal methodology. The research paper also attempts to concentrate on international statutes and other related concerns. The paper aims to propose practical pathways for harmonizing these competing interests in contemporary contexts.

Keywords: Stray Dogs, Public Safety, Animal Welfare, International Statutes, Legal Framework, Municipal Responsibility.