High Court in Rajasthan initiates its own action over increasing dog attacks and stray animal issue
In a bid to address the growing concern of road safety and the increasing number of dog bite incidents in Rajasthan, the Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the issue. The court has been actively monitoring the situation and has involved senior advocates as amicus curiae to conduct detailed studies and assist in finding solutions.
The matter was registered as a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Chief Justice, and the court has sought replies from various Central and State authorities. The court has noted that the consolidated data of stray animal-related accidents has not been reported by the State Government after the year 2018.
According to the data provided by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, alarming figures regarding dog bite cases in India have been revealed. In 2024 alone, there were 1,40,543 dog bite cases reported in Rajasthan, and in January 2025 alone, 15,062 dog bite cases were reported. The court has also noted that the Government of Rajasthan published a report in 2018 containing data of ten years from 2009-2010 to 2018, which showed more than 185 deaths caused by stray animals in the state in 2018.
The Rajasthan Road Safety Bill, 2022, has been drafted with special provisions to control and manage stray animals, including dogs, to improve road safety and reduce accidents caused by such animals. However, as of early August 2025, the bill has not yet been enacted into law. The court has sought clarification on whether the bill has been enacted and demanded immediate action from relevant departments and municipal bodies.
The court has also observed that not all pet owners in Rajasthan are maintaining their pets properly, and many stray dogs in Rajasthan are abandoned, which causes problems in society. The court has stated that pet owners are responsible for controlling and ensuring the safety of their dogs, and not causing harm to people.
Additional Solicitor General Rajdeepak Rastogi, along with Advocate BP Bohra, appeared for the Central government, while Additional Advocate General Rajesh Panwar, along with Advocate Ayush Gehlot, appeared for the State and municipalities. Senior Advocate Sachin Acharya, along with Advocates Priyanka Borana and Heli Pathak, were appointed as Amicus Curiae to assist the court.
The matter will be heard next on August 11, 2025, during which the government is expected to provide updates on the bill’s enactment and the implementation of measures to control stray animal-related incidents, including those resulting in dog bites. The court's order regarding the matter can be found in the [Read Order].
[1] Rajasthan High Court takes suo motu cognisance of rising incidents of road accidents and dog bites in the state. (2025, August 3). The Indian Express. Retrieved from [https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jaipur/rajasthan-high-court-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-rising-incidents-of-road-accidents-and-dog-bites-in-the-state-7975159/]
[3] Rajasthan Road Safety Bill, 2022: Rajasthan High Court seeks clarification from government on bill's status. (2025, August 3). The Times of India. Retrieved from [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/rajasthan-road-safety-bill-2022-rajasthan-high-court-seeks-clarification-from-government-on-bills-status/articleshow/91362923.cms]
- The Rajasthan High Court's concern extends beyond road safety and stray animals, as it has also expressed interest in the health-and-wellness domain, particularly medical-conditions related to dog bites, given the alarming number of cases reported.
- In the context of policy-and-legislation, the Rajasthan High Court has been proactive in pushing for the enactment of the Rajasthan Road Safety Bill, 2022, which aims to manage stray animals and improve general news about road safety and health-and-wellness issues.
- The ongoing legal proceedings in Rajasthan, regarding road safety, stray animal management, and dog bite incidents, have drawn the attention of both national (The Indian Express, The Times of India) and international news media, reflecting the significance of these issues in the broader politics of animal welfare and public health.
