The Supreme Court on Friday (November 7, 2025) directed all States and Union Territories to “forthwith” remove stray dogs from the premises of educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and depots, and railway stations, and relocate them “to a designated shelter” after due sterilisation and vaccination in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Expressing concern over the “disturbing increase” in dog-bite incidents across the country, a Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria directed that stray canines picked up from such premises shall not be released back into the same locality.
“We have consciously directed the non-release of such stray dogs to the same location from which they were picked up, as permitting the same would frustrate the very effect of the directions issued to liberate such institutional areas from the presence of stray dogs,” the Bench said.
The directions were issued in the apex court’s suo motu proceedings aimed at framing a national framework for stray dog management and ensuring compliance with existing statutory regulations.
Placing the responsibility of implementation on local bodies, the court directed the respective jurisdictional municipal authorities to ensure the immediate removal of stray dogs and to submit compliance reports within eight weeks, specifically detailing the remedial measures undertaken to secure adherence to the court’s directions. The matter will be taken up again on January 13, 2026.
‘Lapses to be viewed seriously’
All local self-government institutions have also been directed to ensure that the premises of such establishments are properly secured with fencing, boundary walls, and gates to prevent the ingress of stray animals. This will be preceded by a survey conducted by State governments, to be completed within two weeks, identifying all government and private educational institutions from where stray canines have to be removed.
The Bench also mandated that each institution designate a nodal officer for upkeep and surveillance of each such premises. It has also ordered the conduct of regular inspections at least once every three months, to ensure that no stray canines exist within or in the immediate vicinity of such institutions.
“Any lapse in this regard shall be viewed seriously, and responsibility shall be fixed upon the concerned officials/administrative authorities,” the Bench cautioned.
The Bench on Friday also took on record the report filed by senior advocate Gaurav Agrawal, who is assisting the Bench as amicus curiae. Agrawal had flagged “several grave deficiencies and shortcomings” in the implementation of the court’s earlier directions, particularly with respect to compliance with its August 22 order permitting the release of sterilised dogs back into their localities in accordance with the ABC Rules, except in cases involving rabid or aggressive animals.
The August 22 order had modified an earlier direction issued by a two-judge Bench, which had instructed civic authorities in Delhi and four adjoining districts to capture all stray dogs and keep them confined in shelters. The Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath had found such an absolute restriction “too harsh,” observing that it would run contrary to Rule 11(19) of the ABC Rules, which allows sterilised and vaccinated dogs to be released back into their original localities.
With its latest directions, however, the Bench has carved out a specific exception for public spaces with high footfalls while emphasising that the “primary objective” must be to safeguard the citizens’ fundamental right to life and safety.
The Bench further directed that all government and private hospitals maintain a constant stock of anti-rabies vaccines. It also mandated the adoption of effective waste-management systems to eliminate food sources that attract stray animals.
Additionally, the Animal Welfare Board of India, which is a party to the proceedings, was instructed to frame comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the prevention of dog bites and the management of stray dogs within institutional premises. These SOPs, the court said, must be uniformly implemented across all States and Union Territories.
‘Remove cattle from highways’
Notably, the Bench also acknowledged that accidents involving cattle and other stray animals on public roads and highways have become “alarmingly frequent.” It, therefore, directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and all transport and municipal authorities to ensure the removal of cattle and other stray animals from the highways.
The court directed that all such animals be relocated to suitable shelters, gaushalas, or cattle pounds, where they are to be provided adequate food, water, and veterinary care. It further instructed the authorities to establish dedicated highway patrol units to maintain continuous surveillance. These patrols, the court said, must function round the clock and display helpline numbers prominently along highways to enable commuters to promptly report the presence of stray animals or accidents caused by them.
“The Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, together with the Chairperson, NHAI, shall ensure strict enforcement of these directions through appropriate administrative orders and field-level monitoring. They shall hold the concerned officers personally accountable for lapses or recurring incidents in their respective jurisdictions,” the Bench ordered.
The suo motu proceedings stemmed from mounting public concern over a spate of dog-bite incidents, including the death of a six-year-old girl, which had prompted an earlier order by a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan calling for the mass capture of stray dogs across Delhi and neighbouring districts without release.
However, the directive drew sharp criticism from animal welfare groups, which warned that the measure would amount to cruelty and contravene statutory mandates. Subsequently, in a rare administrative step, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai withdrew the matter from Justice Pardiwala’s Bench and reassigned it to a three-judge Bench headed by Justice Nath.
Published on November 7, 2025