The Supreme Court has directed states to expand animal control infrastructure and asked High Courts to oversee implementation of nationwide compliance measures.
File image of the Supreme Court of India (IANS photo)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to modify its November 2025 directions ordering the removal of stray dogs from public institutions such as hospitals, schools, colleges, bus stations and railway stations, observing that people have a fundamental right to live without the fear of dog attacks.
The ruling comes amid growing concern over rising dog bite incidents across the country. While refusing to dilute its earlier order, the apex court widened the compliance framework by directing states, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and High Courts to monitor implementation of animal birth control and stray management measures in a time-bound manner.
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A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria said the state “cannot remain a passive spectator” when citizens, especially children and elderly people, continue to face danger in public spaces.
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“The court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers, and old-age people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents. Constitution doesn’t envisage a society where children and elderly people are to survive on the mercy and physical strength,” the bench observed.
The court directed all states to strengthen and implement the framework rules framed by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). It said every district must have at least one fully functional Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre.
The bench further said states should expand the number of ABC centres depending on population density and local requirements.
The Supreme Court also issued directions to tackle stray cattle on highways. It asked the NHAI to establish a monitoring and coordination mechanism and ensure the deployment of depreciated transport vehicles to handle stray cattle in a time-bound manner.
To ensure implementation of its directions, the apex court asked all High Courts to register suo motu cases under continuing mandamus proceedings for monitoring compliance.
The court directed all state Chief Secretaries to submit compliance reports before their respective High Courts by August 7. The Union government has also been asked to file its compliance report within the same timeline.
The High Courts will then place a consolidated compliance report before the Supreme Court on November 17.
The bench clarified that the matter would remain closed before the apex court except for receiving compliance reports.
In its November 2025 order, the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the rising stray dog menace and ordered all states and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, railway stations and bus stands.
The court had also directed authorities to properly fence such public premises to prevent stray dog entry.
Importantly, the bench had ruled that stray dogs picked up from these locations should not be released back into the same areas after sterilisation and vaccination, saying that doing so would defeat the purpose of ensuring public safety.
“It will be the responsibility of the concerned local government institutions to pick up stray dogs from such institutions/areas, and shift them to designated dog shelters after vaccination and sterilisation in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules,” the apex court had earlier ordered.
The case was heard on the court’s own motion over concerns surrounding stray dog attacks across the country.
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