Bhubaneswar: As the Supreme Court of India issues a massive legal roadmap empowering municipal authorities to tackle the stray dog menace, the spotlight turns sharply to Odisha—a state grappling with a massive street dog population and a severe surge in animal bites.

​The three-judge apex court Bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, ruled on Tuesday that rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably aggressive dogs can be humanely euthanized by proper authorities, subject to evaluation by qualified veterinarians.

Crucially, the Court erected a legal shield for government officials acting in good faith, stating no criminal proceedings or FIRs should ordinarily be initiated against them.

​For Odisha, a state where local municipal corporations have frequently faced public wrath over dog attacks alongside intense pushback from animal rights activists, this ruling marks a definitive turning point.

​Reality on Odisha’s Streets: By the Numbers

​Data from the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlights why the Supreme Court's intervention is deeply critical for the state.

​The Canine Population: According to the State-wise Stray Dog Population report, Odisha is home to a staggering 17.3 Lakh (1.73 million) stray dogs, making it one of the most heavily populated states in terms of street canines.

​Skyrocketing Bite Cases: Parliamentary records via the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) portal reveal a terrifying trajectory.

Reported dog bite cases in Odisha more than doubled in a span of two years, exploding from 65,396 cases in 2022 to a massive 1,66,792 cases in 2024.

The enormity is well evidenced with the fact that when over 13,899 dog bites were reported in Odisha in 2024, as the dog bites in Jan 2025 alone (latest data available) jumped to 24,478.

This exponential rise in attacks has triggered intense panic in urban clusters like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Berhampur, frequently compromising citizens' fundamental right to safe public spaces.

​Article 21 and Administrative Failure in the State

​The Supreme Court heavily underscored that the right to live with dignity under Article 21 encompasses the right to move freely in public spaces without the constant fear of being mauled. It blamed systemic administrative failure across states for letting the issue balloon into a national crisis.

​Odisha is a prime example of this uneven execution. While the Central Government launched the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) to wipe out human rabies by 2030, localized execution has dragged.

Official records show that Odisha is among the states that are yet to formally launch their State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE), lingering in the drafting or preparatory phases. 

​What the Supreme Court Directives Mean for Odisha’s Local Bodies

​The apex court’s binding directives leave no room for administrative inertia, warning that any further non-compliance will invite Contempt of Court and strict disciplinary proceedings.

Moving forward, the Odisha State Government and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) must implement the following mandates:

​Mandatory District ABC Centres: The state must ensure that at least one fully functional Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre is established in every single district. Given Odisha's high canine density, authorities must expand these facilities proportionately to scale up sterilizations and annual rabies vaccinations.

​Legal Shield for Municipal Officers: Officials within the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other ULBs who were previously hesitant to take decisive action due to fear of litigation or criminal backlash from animal welfare groups are now protected. FIRs against executing officers will only be permitted if there is proof of gross abuse of power or malice.

​Controlled Euthanasia: In areas where canine aggression has turned severe, the state now has the legal authority to humanely euthanize rabid or demonstrably dangerous dogs, provided a qualified veterinarian certifies the condition under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

​Uninterrupted Medical Supplies: The state must guarantee a seamless supply of Anti-Rabies Vaccines (ARV) and Anti-Rabies Serum (ARS) across all public healthcare facilities, building upon the 279 Model Anti-Rabies Clinics currently operational nationwide. 

The Bottomline

​With the Supreme Court firmly shifting the onus onto State Governments, Odisha can no longer afford a reactive, crisis-driven response. The state must now transition from a territory of "sporadic implementation" to an active model of organized, humane canine management to ensure its citizens can walk their streets without fear.

Also Read: Dog Menace / 'Effect of Dog Bite Lifelong, Keep Them in Your House', SC Warns Feeders, States