New Delhi, May 19 -- In a significant direction, the Supreme Court refused to recall its earlier directions on the management of stray dogs in public places and instead allowed authorities to take legally permissible measures, including euthanasia, in cases involving rabid, incurably ill or demonstrably aggressive dogs.

The right to live with dignity encompasses the right to move freely without the threat of harm from dog bite attacks. The court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers and old age people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents," a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria said in response to the petitions by animal rights activists and others.

On Nove...