The Supreme Court of India has directed all state and local authorities to ensure the removal of stray dogs from the premises of schools, colleges, hospitals, and other critical public institutions, citing growing concerns over public safety and increasing incidents of dog attacks.
A bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued the order while hearing multiple petitions related to the management and control of stray dogs across the country. The court emphasized that educational and healthcare institutions must remain safe zones, particularly for children, patients, and the elderly.
The Court stated that while animal welfare is important, it cannot come at the cost of human safety. “There must be a balanced approach. Institutions that cater to vulnerable populations need to be protected from potential harm,” the bench observed.
Local authorities and municipal bodies have been instructed to conduct immediate surveys, deploy dog-catching teams, and work with animal welfare organizations to safely relocate strays to shelters or designated care centers. The Court also asked state governments to submit compliance reports within four weeks.
The order comes at a time when several states have reported a rise in stray dog-related incidents, including injuries to schoolchildren and hospital staff. Parents’ associations and healthcare administrators have welcomed the decision, saying it will help create safer environments.
Animal rights groups, however, have urged the government to pair this action with humane long-term measures such as large-scale sterilization drives, vaccination programs, and the expansion of animal shelters to prevent overcrowding.
With the Supreme Court’s latest directive, civic authorities face renewed pressure to implement structured and humane stray dog management strategies while ensuring the safety of the public in sensitive zones.
