Supreme Court Orders Immediate Removal of Stray Dogs from Public Places; Officials to Be Held Accountable

The Supreme Court of India has issued a significant order mandating the immediate removal of stray dogs from all public places across the country. The bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N.V. Anjaria delivered the directive following months of public concern over stray dog attacks.

The court instructed that stray dogs be relocated to designated shelters after sterilization and vaccination, ensuring they do not pose a threat to citizens in public spaces such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots, and railway stations.

The bench further emphasized that dogs should not be released back into the same areas from where they were captured, as doing so would “defeat the very purpose of preventing public nuisance and safety concerns.”

Responsibility for the implementation of these orders has been placed on local civic bodies and administrative officials. The court directed that within two weeks, authorities must prepare a list of all such public places and act accordingly. A compliance report must be submitted to the Supreme Court by January 13, 2026.

Additionally, the court recommended the installation of protective fencing, gates, or barriers around sensitive public locations to prevent stray dogs from re-entering.

Public institutions like schools, hospitals, and transport hubs have also been instructed to appoint supervisors to monitor the cleanliness and safety of their premises and ensure stray dogs do not gain entry.

This ruling marks one of the strongest judicial interventions yet in addressing the growing menace of stray dog attacks while balancing concerns of animal welfare and public safety.