Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Public Areas: A Comprehensive Plan to Address Rising Dog Bite Cases

The Supreme Court has mandated the removal of stray dogs from public areas within eight weeks.

In response to the concerning increase in dog bite incidents, the Supreme Court issued an order on Friday requiring the removal of stray dogs from educational facilities, hospitals, bus terminals, sports complexes, and railway stations. These animals are to be relocated to designated dog shelters.

A judicial panel comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, which is overseeing stray dog-bite cases through a suo motu proceeding, instructed authorities to prevent canines from entering government and public institution premises. The court emphasized that these dogs must not be returned to their original locations after removal.

The court instructed municipal authorities to conduct regular inspections of all premises to ensure no stray dog habitats remain. "Every stray dog is to be forthwith removed from such premises and relocated to a shelter after sterilisation," stated the bench.

The court specified that this removal process should be completed within an eight-week timeframe.

Additionally, the bench noted that all states and union territories should address the deficiencies highlighted by the amicus curiae (court-appointed lawyer) regarding compliance with the ABC rules previously mandated by the court.

According to the bench, comprehensive affidavits must be submitted before the next hearing, outlining remedial measures to address the lapses identified in the report. The court warned, "Any laxity will be viewed seriously."

The next hearing is scheduled for January 13.

The court was addressing a suo moto case initiated on July 28 concerning reports of stray dog bites causing rabies, particularly among children in the national capital.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court directed all states, union territories, the National Highway Authority, and civic bodies to ensure the removal of stray cattle and other animals from national highways, state highways, and other roadways. The court ordered the establishment of dedicated highway patrol teams responsible for managing stray cattle on roads and ensuring their transfer to shelter homes where proper care will be provided.

"All national highways will have helpline numbers for reporting stray cattle. The chief secretaries of all states will ensure strict compliance with these directives," the court stated.

The court mandated that cattle and other animals must receive necessary care, with chief secretaries of all states and union territories ensuring strict adherence to this directive. The court warned that non-compliant officers would be held responsible.

Regarding the stray dogs case, the Supreme Court ruled in July that all stray dogs in the national capital and adjacent regions must be relocated from residential areas to shelters, given the rising incidence of dog bites leading to rabies fatalities. The court specified that dog shelters must employ professionals capable of handling dogs, performing sterilization and immunization procedures, and preventing the canines from escaping. Describing the stray dog situation in the city as "extremely grim," the Supreme Court cautioned that any individuals or organizations impeding the authorities' efforts to capture stray dogs would face "strictest action."

In another directive, the court had ordered that animals should be released back into their original areas after sterilization and immunization. However, the three-judge panel comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria clarified that this relocation exemption would not apply to dogs infected with rabies, suspected of rabies infection, or exhibiting aggressive behavior.

The court also directed municipal authorities to establish dedicated feeding areas where people can feed stray dogs, emphasizing that public feeding would not be permitted—and violations would result in strict consequences.