Alarming Rise in Dog Bite Cases: Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Public Places
Amid increasing concerns over rising dog bite incidents across the country, the Supreme Court on Friday issued a significant directive ordering the removal of stray dogs from sensitive public areas. These include schools, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, public sports complexes, and other heavily used public institutions.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria stated that all such spaces must be properly fenced to prevent the entry of stray dogs and ensure the safety of children, patients, and the general public. The Court clarified that local self-government bodies, including municipal corporations and panchayats, will be responsible for enforcing the order.
As per the directive, stray dogs found in these restricted public locations must be captured, vaccinated, sterilised, and transferred to authorised dog shelters. The Court highlighted that the dogs should not be released back into the same areas, as doing so would defeat the purpose of safety protections.
During the hearing, Senior Advocates Karuna Nundy and Anand Grover requested reconsideration of the release condition, citing concerns that removing dogs may lead to new packs entering the area. However, the bench declined to modify the order.
The Supreme Court also addressed the issue of stray cattle and animals on highways and public roads. It instructed all states and union territories to conduct joint removal drives and house the animals in gaushalas and designated shelters. Chief Secretaries have been warned of strict accountability for non-compliance and must submit a status report within eight weeks.
This directive marks a major nationwide intervention aimed at enhancing public safety.
