Date – 07.11.2025
The Hon’ble Supreme Court has taken serious note of the alarming rise in dog-bite incidents across the country. The Hon’ble Court ordered that schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, and sports complexes must be properly fenced to stop stray dogs from entering.
It will be the duty of local self-government bodies to catch stray dogs from these areas, vaccinate and sterilize them, and then shift them to designated shelters. The Hon’ble Court made it clear that dogs picked up from such areas must not be released back to the same place, as that would defeat the purpose of keeping public areas safe.
Local authorities have been directed to regularly inspect public places to ensure that no stray dog habitats exist there. During the hearing, Senior Advocates Anand Grover and Karuna Nundy requested the Hon’ble Court to consider that if dogs are removed, new dogs might occupy the same area, but the bench refused to change its order.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court also addressed the issue of stray cattle and other animals on roads and highways, affirming directions earlier given by the Rajasthan High Court. The Hon’ble Court ordered that all stray cattle and animals must be removed from highways and expressways and shifted to goshalas or animal shelters.
It directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to ensure strict compliance, warning that officers will be personally responsible for any failure. All States and UTs have been asked to submit a status report within 8 weeks, explaining the steps taken to implement these directions.
