Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Public Premises
The Supreme Court directed the immediate removal of stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, depots, and railway stations. These animals must be relocated to designated shelters after undergoing sterilization and vaccination, as per the Animal Birth Control Rules.
Prohibition on Releasing Dogs Back to Original Locations
“We have consciously directed the non-release of such stray dogs to the same location from which they were picked up, as permitting the same would frustrate the very effect of the directions issued to liberate such institutional areas from the presence of stray dogs.”
The court emphasized that stray dogs removed from public premises should not be returned to their initial sites to ensure the effectiveness of the removal order.
Responsibility Assigned to Municipal Authorities
The onus of removing and relocating the stray dogs was placed on the respective municipal bodies or local authorities within their jurisdictions.
Compliance and Follow-Up
The Supreme Court scheduled a status report on the implementation of this directive to be presented after eight weeks, specifically on January 13, 2026.
Summary
The Supreme Court mandated municipal authorities to relocate stray dogs from public places to shelters permanently, ensuring sterilization and vaccination without releasing them back to original areas.