Supreme Court asks Women Dog Feeders Alleging Harassment to Lodge FIRs & Approach High Courts

While hearing the stray dogs matter, the Supreme Court clarified that allegations of harassment, assault, or use of derogatory language against women dog feeders constitute criminal offences and must be addressed through FIRs and appropriate legal remedies, not at the apex court level.

The Bench held that such incidents raise law and order issues, for which remedies lie before the police, Magistrates, and jurisdictional High Courts, reiterating that its earlier orders on stray dogs do not authorise vigilantism or abusive conduct.

The Court emphasised that no judicial order can be used as a license to harass or intimidate individuals, particularly women.

[In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price” v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh]