The court focused on removing strays from sensitive areas, fencing highways, and holding authorities and community feeders accountable for dog-bite incidents. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a series of petitions seeking to modify previous judicial orders regarding India’s stray dog population, concluding a high-stakes hearing that balanced public safety against animal welfare. The court has directed all parties to submit their written arguments within one week. Accountability and CompensationThe court reiterated its intent to hold local authorities and individuals accountable for the rising number of dog-bite incidents. Institutional FailuresDuring the hearing, the court expressed sharp dissatisfaction with the state's progress on animal birth control (ABC) programs.