India, May 20 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday, for the first time, expressly authorised Indian authorities to put down rabid, incurably ill and demonstrably dangerous stray dogs in areas witnessing frequent attacks, joining countries such as the United States, Russia and Japan that permit euthanasia of rabid or dangerous stray dogs under statutory safeguards.

In the United States, several state animal control laws permit euthanasia of rabid, unclaimed or dangerous dogs after prescribed holding and veterinary observation periods, particularly where there is a risk to public safety or rabies transmission.

Russia too permits euthanasia of dangerous or unclaimed stray dogs in several regions under laws enacted after repeated attacks by stra...