New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued sweeping directions to local authorities across the country to prevent stray dogs from entering schools, hospitals, sports complexes, and transport hubs, citing an “alarming rise” in dog-bite incidents.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria passed the order while hearing a suo motu case concerning the growing menace of stray dogs. The court mandated that educational institutions, hospitals, railway stations, bus depots, and similar public facilities must be properly fenced to keep stray animals out.
Local self-government bodies have been tasked with rounding up stray dogs found within these areas and relocating them to designated shelters after sterilization and vaccination, in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. The bench made it clear that once removed, the dogs should not be released back into the same premises.
“Allowing the animals to return to these locations would defeat the very objective of ensuring such institutions remain free from the presence of stray dogs,” the order stated.
Senior advocates Anand Grover and Karuna Nundy urged the court to reconsider its stance, arguing that new strays tend to occupy vacated spaces, but the bench declined to modify the directive.
In a related move, the court also instructed states and union territories to launch coordinated operations to clear highways and expressways of stray cattle and other animals. These animals are to be moved to shelters or goshalas. The Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs were warned that failure to comply would attract personal liability, with a status report due in eight weeks.
The case originated in July 2025 after the court took cognizance of a Times of India report highlighting severe dog-bite incidents involving children. The matter has since evolved into a nationwide review of how local bodies implement the ABC Rules and manage stray animal populations.
In earlier hearings, the Supreme Court had stayed a previous order barring the release of sterilized dogs back into their original areas, noting that such a step was “too harsh” under the rules. However, the latest order marks a shift in focus, emphasizing public safety in sensitive and high-footfall zones.
The bench reiterated that any attempt by individuals or organizations to obstruct municipal authorities from removing strays would invite legal action.
The next hearing is expected to review compliance reports from all states and union territories, as the apex court pushes toward establishing a uniform national framework to manage stray animals and minimize public risk.
