The Supreme Court on Friday expressed grave concern over the rising number of dog bite incidents in public institutions and directed authorities across India to relocate stray dogs from schools, hospitals, bus stands, and railway stations to designated shelters. A special three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria observed that the presence of stray dogs in institutional areas poses a serious threat to public safety and hygiene. The court instructed all states and Union Territories to identify such locations within two weeks and secure their premises through fencing, boundary walls, and gates to prevent the entry of stray animals.

The apex court further mandated that each institution must appoint a nodal officer responsible for maintaining cleanliness and ensuring that no stray dogs inhabit their premises. Municipal bodies and panchayats have been directed to carry out quarterly inspections and immediately remove any stray dogs found within or near institutional areas. The bench made it clear that the relocated dogs should not be released back to the same location after sterilization and vaccination, stressing that doing so would undermine the purpose of the directive. The entire exercise is to be completed “as soon as possible and preferably within eight weeks,” the court said.

In a broader order, the Supreme Court also instructed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and state authorities to remove stray cattle and dogs from highways and expressways. The bench directed the creation of joint patrol teams and helpline numbers at regular intervals to report stray animal sightings and prevent accidents. The court emphasized that all rescued animals must be housed in proper shelters and provided food, water, and veterinary care under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. The matter will be reviewed again on January 13 to assess compliance by the authorities.