Supreme Court Orders States to Relocate Stray Dogs to Shelters After Sterilisation
Supreme Court mandates nationwide removal of stray dogs to shelters post-sterilisation, no release back.
The Supreme Court on Friday issued a comprehensive set of directions to tackle the growing problem of stray dogs across the country. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria ordered that all stray dogs be removed from public spaces such as schools, hospitals, railway stations, and bus stands, and relocated to designated shelters after sterilisation. The court emphasized that releasing the dogs back into the same locality would nullify the purpose of the exercise.
The bench also instructed authorities, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to launch a joint operation identifying highway stretches where stray animals are often spotted. The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 13. The order mandates strict compliance from all States and Union Territories and includes the recommendations of the Amicus Curiae’s report as part of the directive.
States and UTs have been given eight weeks to file detailed affidavits outlining measures taken to mitigate existing lapses. The court cautioned that any negligence would be dealt with seriously and that Chief Secretaries would be held personally accountable for non-compliance. It also directed them to create effective mechanisms to ensure proper care for stray cattle and other animals.
Reaffirming earlier directions by the Rajasthan High Court, the Supreme Court reiterated that all States must ensure the immediate removal of stray animals, including cattle, from highways and expressways through coordinated initiatives. Further, within two weeks, authorities must identify government premises such as hospitals and railway stations and secure them with adequate fencing to prevent stray animal entry—a process to be completed within eight weeks.
