New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed all states and Union territories to remove stray dogs from schools, hospitals, public transport hubs, and other sensitive public areas, emphasising that they must not be released back into these premises after sterilisation.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N. V. Anjaria issued the directive while monitoring the implementation of stray dog management measures across the country. “They will not be released back in the same area since releasing them back will frustrate the very purpose of the directive of the court,” Justice Mehta said while reading out the order. The court clarified that the move aims to ensure public safety, particularly in locations with children, patients and heavy footfall. It added that permitting the return of stray dogs to such areas would “frustrate the very purpose” of securing these spaces.
Under the order, all states and UTs must, within two weeks, identify educational institutions, medical facilities, sports complexes, railway stations and bus depots where stray dogs are present. Within eight weeks, these areas must be secured, preferably through boundary walls, to prevent re-entry of stray animals. Each institution will have a nodal officer responsible for maintenance and monitoring, with municipal authorities required to conduct inspections for at least three months and submit reports to the court. The bench also directed the National Highways Authority of India and other road-owning agencies to clear stray cattle and animals from highways and ensure their rehabilitation in shelters.
The order follows months of hearings on widespread non-compliance with earlier directives under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. The suo motu case was initiated after a surge in dog bite incidents, including several attacks on children. While reaffirming its commitment to humane treatment under the catch-neuter-vaccinate-release model, the court said public safety must take precedence in sensitive zones. The detailed judgment is expected to be released shortly.
