Supreme Court Orders Removal Of Stray Dogs From Bus Stands, Railway Stations

Last Updated:November 07, 2025, 11:22 IST

The Supreme Court has ordered all public institutions and transport hubs to be fenced and cleared of stray dogs amid an “alarming rise” in dog-bite incidents.

Stray dogs sitting by the road (Photo: PTI)

Amid what it termed an “alarming rise of dog-bite incidents" across the country, the Supreme Court on Friday issued sweeping directions mandating that all educational institutions, hospitals, public sports complexes, railway stations, bus stands and depots be properly fenced to prevent the entry of stray dogs.

A special three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria passed the directions while hearing the suo motu case on the menace of stray dogs.

The bench said it would be the duty of the local self-government institutions to ensure that stray dogs are captured from such premises and relocated to designated dog shelters after being vaccinated and sterilised in line with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.

The bench made it clear that the animals, once picked up, must not be released back in the same area.

“Permitting the same would frustrate the very purpose of liberating such institutions from the presence of stray dogs," the court observed in its order.

Further, the court directed that periodic inspections be carried out by local bodies to ensure no stray dog colonies or feeding zones emerge within institutional or public premises.

Soon after the pronouncement, senior advocates Anand Grover and Karuna Nundy, appearing in the matter, urged the bench to consider their submissions before signing the order.

Nundy cautioned that if dogs were removed, “new dogs will occupy the same spot."

The bench, however, declined to reopen the issue, with Justice Mehta remarking that the directions had already been finalised.

DIRECTIONS ON REMOVAL OF STRAY CATTLE, OTHER ANIMALS

In a parallel set of directions, the top court also turned its attention to the rising number of stray cattle and animals on public roads, highways, and expressways.

Endorsing the approach taken by the Rajasthan High Court, the bench ordered that a joint and coordinated drive be undertaken immediately by all states and Union Territories to remove such animals from highways and major roads.

“A joint coordinated drive shall be undertaken to immediately remove all such animals found on highways, roadways, and expressways, including cattle," the court said.

The animals, it directed, must be shifted to goshalas or designated shelters.

Issuing a stern warning to state administrations, the bench ordered that Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories must ensure strict compliance, failing which officers would be held personally responsible.

The states have been asked to file a status report within eight weeks, outlining the mechanisms developed to enforce the directives.

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