SC directs relocation of stray dogs, cattle from highways and institutional areas

The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over the “alarming rise” in dog bite cases in institutional areas such as educational centres and hospitals, and directed that such stray dogs be moved to designated shelters.

A special three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria issued a series of directions in the ongoing suo motu case on stray dogs. The Court asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other authorities to remove stray dogs and other animals from highways, expressways, and institutional areas such as schools, colleges and also from hospitals, and relocate them to designated shelters.

The court also directed that stray dogs removed from such areas should not be released back there, and instructed authorities to ensure that educational and healthcare institutions remain free from stray intrusions to prevent bite incidents.

The bench noted that stray cattle and animals on highways often lead to serious accidents, and therefore extended its directions beyond dogs to cover all stray animals. It asked the NHAI and state authorities to conduct joint drives to identify vulnerable stretches of highways and ensure their clearance. The matter has been posted for further hearing on January 13.

The Court had earlier, on November 3, observed that it would issue interim directions to tackle the “grave menace” of dog bites, especially in institutional areas where employees or residents feed and encourage stray dogs. The suo motu proceedings were initiated on July 28, 2024, following media reports about rising dog bite incidents and rabies deaths among children in Delhi. The bench later expanded the scope of the case to all states and Union territories, recognising the issue’s nationwide nature.

The directions are expected to influence animal welfare and urban management policies, prompting authorities to strengthen Animal Birth Control (ABC) and vaccination programmes, improve shelter facilities, and ensure better coordination between civic bodies, health departments and animal welfare boards. The Court emphasised that public safety and compassion for animals must go hand in hand, in keeping with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.