About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of a Supreme Court ruling on the euthanization of stray dogs in India and its relation to public safety and governance failures.

India has 3.7 million dog bites a year. It accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths. In May 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that civic authorities may euthanise rabid or demonstrably aggressive stray dogs, calling the right to walk public spaces without fear a fundamental right under Article 21. Is this a landmark ruling or a shortcut that papers over 65 years of governance failure? Malathi Renati (Takshashila Institution) speaks with Samyukta Hornad, founder of Praana Animal Foundation, a popular Kannada actor and someone who has been doing the unglamorous work of animal welfare since the age of 16. This debate is examined through the Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar: One number worth sitting with: Lucknow sterilised 84% of its stray population, halved birth rates, and was cited by the SC as India's national benchmark. It worked with sustained funding, NGO partnership, and 15,000 trained citizen volunteers. Can other states take courage? All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution…

People in this episode

Host: Malathi Renati

Guest: Samyukta Hornad

Topics covered

• public safety
• animal welfare
• governance
• rabies
• stray dogs
• Supreme Court ruling

Keywords

• dog bites
• rabies deaths
• stray dogs
• public spaces
• animal welfare
• Supreme Court
• Lucknow sterilization

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Takshashila Institution, Praana Animal Foundation

Places: India, Lucknow

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