NE LEGAL BUREAU
NEW DELHI, NOV 7
Taking cognisance of the “alarming rise” in dog bite incidents within educational institutions, hospitals, and other public spaces, the Supreme Court on Friday issued wide-ranging directives for the immediate relocation of stray dogs to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination.
- Orders immediate relocation of stray dogs from public and institutional areas to shelters
- Says rise in dog bites and road accidents reflects ‘systemic failure’ and ‘administrative apathy’
- Experts welcome move for public safety; animal activists call for humane implementation
- Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories must file compliance affidavits within eight weeks, listing steps taken to secure institutional premises and ensure vaccine availability. The matter will be heard again on January 13.
A special three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria ruled that stray canines picked up from institutional areas “shall not be released back at the same locations”. The Court also ordered removal of all cattle and stray animals from State and National Highways and expressways, citing the growing number of fatal road accidents.
Calling it a constitutional imperative under Article 21, the bench observed:
“The situation calls for immediate judicial intervention to safeguard the fundamental right to life and safety of citizens, especially children, patients, and sportspersons.”
The Court noted that dog bite incidents in campuses and hospitals reveal “administrative apathy and systemic failure” in securing public spaces.
Public Health and Policy Perspective
Citing studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Court pointed out that India continues to record one of the world’s highest rabies-related mortalities, with over 90% of cases caused by dog bites.
Experts say the ruling could prompt long-overdue reforms
Public health specialist Dr. Ramesh Ramaswamy said the directive “finally recognises rabies as not just an animal issue, but a major public health crisis.” He added that “the linkage of animal control with citizen safety is a welcome shift in judicial thinking.”
Urban governance expert Dr. Meera Krishnan noted that “municipal bodies have been under pressure to act, but lacked coordination and accountability. This order gives them both urgency and legal backing.”
Accountability and Implementation Mandate
The apex court directed local municipal bodies and panchayats to conduct quarterly inspections of schools, hospitals, and railway premises to ensure stray-free zones. Any lapse, it warned, will result in personal liability for the concerned officials.
Further, the bench mandated:
- Every educational institution, hospital, and public terminal must be fenced or structurally secured to prevent the entry of stray animals.
- All hospitals must maintain anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin at all times.
- The Ministry of Education must direct schools to hold awareness sessions on safe behaviour around animals and post-bite first aid.
Reactions from Animal Welfare Circles
While health and civic experts lauded the ruling, animal rights groups expressed mixed reactions, urging humane implementation.
Dr. Anita Nair, an animal welfare scientist associated with FIAPO (Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations), said:
“We appreciate the intent to protect citizens, but mass relocation without proper sheltering standards could lead to cruelty. The focus must remain on sterilisation, vaccination, and responsible feeding, not punitive removal.”
Similarly, Blue Cross of India General Manager Ravi Shankar Menon said the order “must be implemented with compassion and coordination with NGOs to prevent overcrowding or euthanasia in shelters.”
Nationwide Coordination Ordered
Reaffirming Rajasthan High Court’s August 11 directive, the Supreme Court asked all municipal authorities, Public Works Departments, and NHAI to jointly identify accident-prone stretches and relocate stray cattle and animals to shelters.
Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories must file compliance affidavits within eight weeks, listing steps taken to secure institutional premises and ensure vaccine availability. The matter will be heard again on January 13.
“This is not merely an administrative lapse but a continuing public health emergency,” the bench said, underscoring that both citizen safety and animal welfare must go hand in hand.
