New Delhi: In a major public safety directive, the Supreme Court of India on Friday ordered all states and union territories to relocate stray dogs from sensitive public areas such as educational institutions, hospitals, bus and railway stations, and sports complexes to designated animal shelters.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria stated that stray dogs once captured must not be released back into the same localities, particularly those near schools and hospitals, to ensure public safety and hygiene.
The apex court also directed state and UT administrations to identify all public and private educational institutions, hospitals, and sports complexes within their jurisdiction where stray dog presence poses a threat.
Further, the district magistrates have been instructed to ensure proper fencing and preventive infrastructure so that stray dogs cannot enter the premises of schools, colleges, hospitals, and playgrounds.
The order comes amid increasing reports of stray dog attacks on children and the elderly across the country. The Court observed that while compassion toward animals is important, citizen safety must take precedence, and local authorities should balance both through humane relocation and sterilization drives.
The directive is expected to have a major impact on urban civic bodies, as they will now be responsible for implementing strict stray dog management near public facilities.
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