New Delhi: In response to an “alarming surge” in dog-bite incidents, the Supreme Court on Friday directed that all schools, hospitals, public sports facilities, bus stands, railway stations, and similar public spaces must be properly fenced to prevent entry of stray dogs.
The Court mandated that local self-government bodies take responsibility for capturing stray dogs in these areas and relocating them to designated shelters after vaccination and sterilization, in line with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. Importantly, the Court emphasized that dogs removed from these premises must not be returned to the same locations, noting that doing so would defeat the purpose of safeguarding such institutions.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria issued the order in a suo motu matter concerning stray dogs. The bench instructed local authorities to conduct regular inspections to ensure no stray dog habitats exist within protected premises.
Senior advocates, including Anand Grover and Karuna Nundy, requested the Court to consider their objections before the order was finalized, warning that new dogs might occupy the vacated spaces. The bench, however, rejected these submissions.
The Court extended its directions to include stray cattle and other animals on roads and highways, upholding previous orders from the Rajasthan High Court. A coordinated effort across states is to be launched to relocate these animals to goshalas or shelter homes. Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories were warned that failure to comply would result in personal accountability, with a status report due within eight weeks.
The case originated on 28 July 2025, when a bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan took notice of a Times of India report highlighting the dangers posed to children by stray dogs. On 11 August, the bench issued directives to Delhi authorities to remove and shelter stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad. Obstruction by any individual or organization was explicitly prohibited.
Subsequently, the matter was transferred to a three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath. On 22 August, the bench modified the earlier order, ruling that most vaccinated and sterilized dogs should be returned to their original locations, except those infected or suspected of rabies or exhibiting aggressive behavior. The Court also prohibited public feeding of stray dogs except at dedicated feeding zones and reinforced that municipal authorities must not be obstructed.
The Supreme Court expanded the scope of its orders to a pan-India level, mandating all States and Union Territories, along with municipal corporations and animal husbandry authorities, to ensure compliance with ABC Rules. The bench also announced plans to consolidate similar petitions from High Courts to establish a national policy on stray animal management.
On 27 October, Chief Secretaries of most states, barring West Bengal and Telangana, were summoned for failing to submit affidavits detailing implementation measures. Despite a request to appear virtually, the bench refused, expressing dissatisfaction at the lack of compliance by officials who had ignored previous directives meant to be executed at municipal and state levels.