Nov 1, 2025 — The Supreme Court has directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories (UTs) — except West Bengal and Telangana — to appear in person on November 3 to explain the failure to submit compliance affidavits in compliance with its August 22 directive in stray dogs’ matter.

The States had requested to appear virtually, but the Court on Friday refused, saying, “You have no respect for the Court’s orders.”

This ruling by a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought exemption of physical presence of the Chief Secretaries of States and UTs.

"We are trying to solve the issues which should have been solved by the State Governments. They show no respect for our order. When we require them to come and file compliance affidavit, they are just sleeping over it. Then alright, Let them come, we will deal with them. They must file compliance affidavits,” the Bench said.

A day prior to this Bihar had moved the Supreme Court seeking exemption for the presence of its Chief Secretary in this matter because of the upcoming Assembly polls. The same Bench rejected the plea telling the Counsel, “The Election Commission will handle everything in the State. Don’t worry. Let the Chief Secretary come,”

Readers may recall that on October 27, India’s top Court had asked all States and UTs to file compliance affidavits regarding stray dog management. The August 22 order mandated the sterilisation, deworming and immunisation of stray dogs in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Except for West Bengal, Telangana, and the Delhi Municipal Corporation, no State had submitted the compliance affidavit by October 27 which led to the displeased Court summoning all Chief Secretaries of the relevant States and UTs to appear before it on November 3.

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