The Supreme Court of India has ordered all state governments to remove stray dogs from public areas and relocate them to designated shelter homes. The order covers high-footfall locations such as schools, hospitals, bus stands, and railway stations, where the presence of stray dogs poses serious risks.
The order was issued during a suo motu hearing on the rising stray dog menace, led by a bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath. The Court directed municipal bodies and local authorities to take swift and coordinated action to control the growing problem.
Officials have been instructed to conduct daily inspections to identify and capture stray dogs. Once caught, they must be relocated to shelter homes and sterilized as part of population control measures. The Court further advised patrolling on highways and major roads to prevent accidents and ensure safety.
In a stern warning, the Supreme Court stated that Chief Secretaries of all states must submit detailed reports outlining the steps taken to comply with the directive. Failure to follow the orders will result in personal accountability for responsible officials, the bench cautioned.
The Court also extended its order to include stray cattle, directing that they too be captured and housed in protected enclosures. All states have been given eight weeks to file affidavits detailing their compliance.
The ruling highlights the judiciary’s growing concern over public safety, sanitation, and animal management, particularly in areas frequented by children, patients, and commuters, where stray animal attacks have become a persistent threat.
