Recently, the Supreme Court of India issued new, strict directions for the removal and management of Stray Dogs. It also placed a special focus on their presence in public institutions. This Order was issued due to the growing concern over the alarming rise in dog bite incidents across the country. In the last order of the Supreme Court, it has instructed all the States and Union Territories to remove the Stray Dogs from public premises to ensure public safety.
Important Directives from the Supreme Court Stray Dog Guidelines
Targeted Areas for removal:
- Educational Institutions
- Hospitals
- Sports Complex
- Bus Stands and Depots
- Railway Stations
Relocation and Care:
- The removed dogs should be relocated to designated shelters.
- Before relocating the dogs, they must be sterilized and vaccinated. This process should be done in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC rules), 2023.
No Return Policy
The supreme court also emphasized that relocated dogs should not be released back into the same locality. It also stated that doing so would frustrate the very effect of the directions.
Infrastructure and Monitoring Measures
Supreme Court has instructed to prevent stray dogs from re-entering sensitive areas.
Fencing and Security:
Local Bodies must strictly ensure that schools, hospitals and other institutions are securely fenced with proper boundary walls and gates.
Nodal Officers:
Each and every institution should appoint a nodal officer responsible for monitoring and preventing the stray dogs inside the premises.
Stray dogs on Highways
The court also instructed the highway authority to monitor the stray dogs. The National Highways Authority (NHAI) along with municipal administration and transport department, to remove the stray animals from highways. The Supreme Court order notes that the stray dogs on high speed highways are a serious threat to motorists and pedestrians.
Compliance and Timeline
The government officials (Municipality Authority) have been directed to implement these measures immediately and file a compliance report within eight weeks. Court also said that matter will be reviewed on January 13, 2026.
Supreme Court Stray Dog Guidelines – Case Background
This action comes from a suo motto case titled in Re : City household bounded by strays: Kids Pay price, reflecting the court’s concern over the increasing threat that stray dogs pose – that to especially to children.
Evolution of the Case
- August 11, 2025: The supreme court ordered to remove the stray dogs from the Delhi-NCR.
- August 22, 2025: Due to the public backlash from the animal welfare groups, the court modified its order. Court now directed to release back to their original location after sterilization and vaccination. It also directed to make designated feeding zones.
- November 2025: Now, the last directives reverse this position for institution areas, requiring permanent relocation to shelters.
Summary on Supreme Court Stray Dog Guidelines
Thus, the latest ruling of the supreme court represents a shift towards protecting the Public from the Stray Dogs. This ruling particularly insists in protecting schools, hospitals, and other key institutions. However, humane treatment has to be followed under Animal Birth Control (ABC rules), 2023 while handling stray dogs.