Supreme Court Issues Directions on Rising Stray Dog Menace

On 7 November 2025, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the alarming rise in dog bite incidents across the country. The apex court directed all States and Union Territories (UTs) to take immediate steps to ensure removal of stray dogs from sensitive public areas.

Areas Identified for Action

The Court ordered that stray dogs must be removed from:

• Educational institutions
• Hospitals (government and private)
• Public sports complexes
• Bus stands and railway stations
• Other public spaces with heavy footfall

Infrastructure and Safety Measures

• All such premises must be properly fenced to prevent stray dogs from entering.
• The Court prohibited releasing captured dogs back into the same locality, noting that doing so would defeat the purpose of securing the premises.

Responsibilities of Authorities

• Local government bodies to collect stray dogs and transfer them to designated shelters after vaccination and sterilisation, as per Animal Birth Control Rules.
• Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs will ensure strict compliance, with personal accountability for any lapses.
• A nodal officer must be appointed for the upkeep and surveillance of each such premise.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Municipal authorities and panchayats to conduct periodic inspections for at least three months and submit reports to the Court.

Extension to Other Animals

• States, UTs, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and related agencies must also remove stray cattle and animals from national and state highways and ensure their rehabilitation in shelters.

Health and Sanitation Directives

• All government and private hospitals must maintain a constant stock of anti-rabies vaccines.
• Authorities must implement effective waste management systems to eliminate food sources attracting stray animals.

Court’s Emphasis

• The Bench underscored that the primary objective of the directive is to protect citizens’ fundamental right to life and safety under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Source: DD News